Seoul summons Ukraine envoy over North Korean prisoner row
South Korea lodges a formal complaint after President Zelensky publicly revealed the transfer of two North Korean POWs to Seoul at the UN.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- South Korea formally summons Ukraine's acting ambassador over a disclosure row.
- President Zelensky publicly announced the transfer of two North Korean POWs to Seoul.
- Seoul argues the transfer was agreed to be kept secret for safety reasons.
- South Korean opposition criticizes President Lee for alleged appeasement of Pyongyang.
South Korea's Foreign Ministry has summoned Andrii Vieshkin, Ukraine's acting ambassador, to lodge a formal complaint and express strong regret over President Volodymyr Zelensky's public announcement regarding the transfer of two captured North Korean soldiers to Seoul.
The diplomatic friction began after Zelensky revealed the transfer during his address at the UN General Assembly last Wednesday, noting that the soldiers were not easy to capture alive following their detention in Russia's Kursk Oblast in early 2025.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
While Seoul confirmed the arrival of the two North Koreans, who had previously supported Russian forces, officials sharply criticized Kyiv for breaching an agreement to keep the transfer confidential. According to President Lee's office, the secrecy was intended to protect the soldiers' families and shield Ukraine from criticism over missing a potential prisoner exchange opportunity.
This diplomatic dispute underscores the delicate balancing act Seoul must maintain in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. While providing humanitarian and non-lethal financial assistance, South Korea continues to adhere to its strict policy against supplying lethal weapons. The sudden public disclosure by Kyiv not only damaged bilateral trust but also created domestic political fallout for the South Korean administration.
"When North Korea actively participates in a war in Europe, South Korea cannot remain a distant observer."
Mykhailo Podolyak, senior adviser to President Zelensky
The dispute escalated further when Zelensky's office claimed no non-disclosure agreement existed, prompting Seoul to demand an apology for what it called a falsehood that severely damaged trust. Domestically, President Lee faced fierce backlash from opposition lawmakers accusing him of attempting to cover up the arrangement to appease North Korea.
Source: BBC World
Found something wrong in this article? Report an issue with this article
Comments
Leave a Comment