Why South Korea is demanding an apology from Ukraine over North Korean PoWs

South Korea has demanded an apology from Ukraine after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the transfer of two captured North Korean soldiers to Seoul. South Korea claims Kyiv agreed to a non-disclosure agreement regarding the prisoners' transfer but subsequently broke it by publicly disclosing the information. Ukraine denies that such an agreement existed. The two North Korean soldiers were captured by Ukraine in January 2025 while fighting for Russia. South Korea had initially kept the transfer confidential due to concerns for the soldiers' safety and that of their families in North Korea. The disclosure has reportedly damaged trust between the two governments.

South Korea is demanding an official explanation and apology from Ukraine after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed information about a North Korean prisoner-of-war transfer at the UN General Assembly last week. Analysts suggest this diplomatic row risks jeopardizing South Korea's future ties and support for Kyiv. The disclosure has also provided ammunition for South Korea's political opposition. The South Korean presidential office issued a statement late Sunday regarding the matter.

South Korea's presidential office has demanded an explanation and apology from Ukraine. Seoul accuses Kyiv of disclosing the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea and then falsely denying an agreement to keep the move confidential. According to South Korea, Ukraine requested secrecy for the transfer due to security, diplomatic, and humanitarian concerns, including the prisoners' safety. However, Ukraine later disclosed the transfer during President Zelensky's UN General Assembly address without sufficient prior consultation and subsequently denied any confidentiality agreement. South Korea stated this denial has damaged trust and could harm bilateral relations, and is reviewing further measures.

South Korea's presidential office has expressed strong regret over Ukraine's disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to Seoul. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the transfer at the UN General Assembly, which South Korea claims violated a nondisclosure agreement. South Korea's presidential office stated that the agreement was intended to protect the soldiers from potential dangers, in line with international law and humanitarian principles. Ukraine's presidential office, however, denied the existence of such an agreement, claiming it would have been unusual to keep the entire transfer secret. South Korea asserts that Ukraine's denial of the confidentiality agreement damages bilateral trust and disrupts their friendship.