South Korea Demands Official Apology from Ukraine Over POW Disclosure

South Korea is demanding an official apology from Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war, violating what Seoul says was a clear confidentiality agreement. The South Korean Foreign Ministry summoned acting ambassador Andrii Vieshkin on Monday to protest the unilateral disclosure and the subsequent Ukrainian denial that a secrecy pact existed.

Ukrainian forces captured the two North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk region in January 2025. In July, Zelenskyy and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung agreed to resolve the issue while respecting the soldiers' free will, with Seoul insisting both nations agreed to keep the matter confidential. Despite this, Zelenskyy revealed at the UN General Assembly last week that the POWs had been captured and delivered to South Korea. The Ukrainian presidential office has denied any such confidentiality agreement was made. Vieshkin, after being summoned, promised to communicate Seoul's stance to his government. The Ukrainian Embassy in Seoul did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Seoul's Response and Expectations

South Korea has deemed a subsequent apology from Ukraine insufficient. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated the apology fell short of expectations, signaling consideration of firm measures such as recalling South Korea's ambassador to Ukraine, Park Hee-chang. Cho Hyun has been in direct contact with his Ukrainian counterpart. "I have been in continuous contact with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha over the matter, and he has expressed how difficult the situation is," Cho said. Following Seoul's demand, Sybiha described the issue as a 'diplomatic misunderstanding' and hoped for a swift resolution.

Cho Hyun speculated that Zelenskyy may have disclosed the transfer to demonstrate to the United Nations that Ukraine acted appropriately as a liberal democracy, but stressed this was his personal interpretation. Senior presidential public relations advisor Seong Ghi-hong voiced strong regret, calling Ukraine's denial of the agreement an act that seriously undermines trust and damages friendly relations. Seong suggested the confidential arrangement was made because Kyiv feared political backlash for losing a chance to trade the soldiers for Ukrainian troops held in Russia, while Seoul was anxious about the safety of the soldiers' families in North Korea.

Background on the POWs and Broader Context

The two North Korean soldiers, who expressed a desire to relocate to South Korea while still in Ukraine, arrived in Seoul in mid-September. They were captured amid broader North Korean military support for Russia; thousands of North Korean soldiers have been dispatched to aid Russia in the conflict. South Korea has a longstanding policy of welcoming North Korean defectors, officially viewing the North as part of its territory. Since the end of the Korean War, over 34,000 North Koreans have escaped to the South, though soldiers rarely defect.

Zelenskyy, in his UN address, stated one of the soldiers attempted suicide upon capture, remarking, "In the North, individuals are raised in this manner." Observers suggest Zelenskyy likely highlighted North Korea's involvement to secure greater Western support. South Korea's liberal administration was concerned the disclosure could provoke North Korea and undermine diplomatic efforts. While South Korea has joined sanctions against Russia and provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine, it has declined to offer direct military assistance, adhering to a policy of not sending weapons to active combat zones.

In April 2025, North Korea and Russia acknowledged their forces engaged in joint combat in the Kursk region. South Korea, the US, and others assert North Korea has supplied Russia with missiles and ammunition in exchange for support. According to South Korea's spy agency, approximately 2,000 of the 15,000 personnel North Korea supplied were killed last year. This collaboration has allowed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to more assertively pursue nuclear weapons development. South Korea intends to take firm measures due to the insufficient apology, including considering the recall of its ambassador to Ukraine.