South Korea Demands Apology from Ukraine Over North Korean POW Leak

Seoul Demands Apology Over Breach of Secrecy

South Korean President Li Džemjuns criticized Kyiv for violating an agreed-upon pact of silence following the announcement in New York. President Li stated that he didn’t know why the Ukrainian side broke the agreement and made it public, adding that the move caused deep disappointment. Songs Gi Hong, the senior public relations advisor to the South Korean president, escalated the diplomatic response by demanding a formal explanation and an apology. Songs stated that the presidential office expressed deep regret over Ukraine’s unilateral disclosure and subsequent denial of the non-disclosure agreement. According to Seoul, the action severely undermines trust between the two governments and damages friendly relations, prompting South Korea to weigh additional necessary measures.

Diplomatic Channels and Prisoner Transfers

South Korean officials maintain that Kyiv repeatedly discussed the transfer of captured North Korean soldiers through various communication channels, explicitly requesting confidentiality to avoid domestic criticism in Ukraine over missed opportunities to exchange North Korean prisoners for captive Ukrainians. Seoul agreed to maintain secrecy due to safety, diplomatic, and humanitarian considerations, including protecting the prisoners and their families remaining in North Korea. Following the UN address, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to issue a formal protest. Conversely, the Ukrainian presidential office told the Yonhap news agency that Kyiv only revealed the fact of the prisoner transfer without disclosing operational details, arguing it would be strange to keep the entire arrangement hidden.

Background of the Captured North Korean Soldiers

Ukraine took two North Korean soldiers into custody in early 2024 after North Korean troops deployed to Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces entered in August 2024. While still in Ukraine, both prisoners expressed a desire to settle in South Korea rather than return to North Korea. In June, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry announced its readiness to accept North Koreans captured in Ukraine if they express that wish, while urging Kyiv not to repatriate them to Pyongyang due to expected severe reprisals. South Korea officially considers North Korea to be its territory and provides financial support for defectors. Since the end of the Korean War in 1953, over 34,000 individuals have fled from North Korea to the South, though military defections remain a rarity.

Diplomatic Stakes and Regional Tensions

Analysts suggest that President Zelenskyy’s decision to highlight North Korea’s military involvement aims to secure broader Western assistance for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Seoul remains worried that publicizing the transfers could provoke Pyongyang and undermine efforts to restart dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang. South Korea has avoided providing military assistance to Kyiv, preferring to implement sanctions against Russia alongside humanitarian and other support.

Summary of Diplomatic Developments

• The Incident: President Zelenskyy disclosed the transfer of two North Korean prisoners to South Korea during his UN General Assembly address.
• Seoul’s Reaction: President Li Džemjuns and senior advisors condemned the disclosure as a breach of a bilateral confidentiality agreement, demanding an official apology.
• Humanitarian Context: The captured soldiers requested resettlement in South Korea to escape reprisals in Pyongyang, aligning with Seoul’s policy of accepting defectors.
• Bilateral Fallout: The South Korean Foreign Ministry summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to register a formal protest over the breach of trust.