South Korea Demands Ukraine Apology Over North Korean POW Disclosure

South Korea’s presidential office has demanded an official explanation and apology from Ukraine over the disclosure of the transfer of two captured North Korean soldiers to Seoul, accusing Kyiv of breaching a confidentiality agreement and later denying that such an arrangement existed.

Seong Ghi-hong, senior presidential secretary for public relations, said Sunday that Seoul “expresses strong regret” over what it described as Ukraine’s unilateral disclosure and subsequent denial. He added that the South Korean government was considering additional measures if necessary.

According to Seoul, Ukraine had discussed the transfer through multiple diplomatic channels and requested that the operation remain secret. Ukrainian officials reportedly feared that public disclosure could fuel domestic criticism that Kyiv had surrendered an opportunity to exchange the North Korean soldiers for Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia.

South Korea agreed to confidentiality because of diplomatic, security and humanitarian concerns, including potential risks to the two soldiers and their families in North Korea, Seong said.

The dispute emerged after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told the United Nations General Assembly that two North Korean prisoners captured while fighting alongside Russian forces had been transferred to South Korea. Seoul says the announcement was made without adequate prior consultation.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung had earlier said the disclosure violated a non-disclosure agreement. In a post on X, Lee called the decision “deeply regrettable,” arguing that keeping the transfer confidential was appropriate given the possible consequences.

Ukraine’s embassy in Seoul did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The two North Korean soldiers were captured in Russia’s Kursk region in January 2025. They were the first North Korean troops known to have been captured alive after Pyongyang deployed forces to support Russia’s war against Ukraine in 2024.

Seoul and Kyiv had discussed transferring the soldiers after they expressed a desire to travel to South Korea, according to a South Korean opposition lawmaker.

The diplomatic dispute comes as Seoul seeks to revive dialogue with North Korea, while U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed his willingness to engage with Pyongyang.