South Korea has demanded an apology from Ukraine for breaching the confidentiality agreement on the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war from Kyiv to Seoul.
A diplomatic row erupted after Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed at the UN General Assembly last week that Ukraine had sent two North Korean soldiers captured while fighting for Russia to South Korea.
Seoul criticised Mr Zelensky for the disclosure, made while demanding greater support for Ukraine in its war against Russia, accusing him of breaking confidentiality and risking the lives of the prisoners.
Kyiv attempted to downplay the disclosure, however, claiming there was no confidentiality agreement.
On Sunday, South Korea’s presidential office said the “unilateral disclosure” breached not only their agreement but trust between the two countries and “additional measures” were necessary.
Seong Ghi Hong, senior presidential secretary, said in a statement that Seoul “expresses strong regret over Ukraine’s unilateral disclosure and its subsequent false announcement that there had not been a non-disclosure agreement”.
Mr Seong said Ukraine had requested secrecy while discussing the transfer of the POWs with Seoul, saying that public disclosure could spark domestic criticism that Kyiv had given up an opportunity to exchange them for Ukrainian prisoners.
He said Seoul agreed to keep the transfer confidential in view of security, diplomatic and humanitarian concerns.
Yet, Mr Seong charged, Mr Zelensky disclosed the transfer without sufficient prior consultation and subsequently denied the existence of any confidentiality agreement.
Kyiv’s denial of the agreement had “seriously damaged trust” and could harm bilateral relations, the secretary said.
The two North Korean soldiers were captured from Russia’s Kursk region in January 2025. They were among more than 11,000 North Korean troops deployed to aid Russia’s ultimately successful effort to repel the Ukrainian invasion of the border region.
South Korea considers all North Koreans as its own citizens and its constitution obligates it to accept defectors and refugees from the rival nation.
In an attempt to downplay the row, Dmytro Lytvyn, an aide to Mr Zelensky, said the president had only made public the fact that the soldiers were handed to South Korea. Ukraine was an "open country", Mr Lytvyn said, adding that it would be unusual to hand over the soldiers in secret.
In his address at the UN, Mr Zelensky claimed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was using his nation’s soldiers “like currency” with Russia, and argued that they should not be given more time to fight on the Ukrainian frontlines and gain battlefield experience.
As Mr Zelensky’s comments kicked up a political storm in South Korea, president Lee Jae Myung said the transfer of the soldiers was highly sensitive and “it was appropriate in every aspect not to disclose” it.
“I don’t know why the Ukrainian side broke the agreement and made the matter public but it’s very disappointing,” Mr Lee said on X. “The issue of bringing North Korean prisoners to South Korea is a highly sensitive one that could have a major impact on diplomacy, security and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.”
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