(2nd LD) Lee warns of 'additional measures' if Ukraine refuses to apologize over N.K. POW transfer disclosure wrangle

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung warned of potential additional measures against Ukraine on October 2 if the country fails to take responsibility for deteriorating relations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's September 23 U.N. General Assembly speech angered Seoul by revealing details of the transfer of North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to South Korea.

South Korea claims Zelensky breached a confidentiality agreement by disclosing the transfer. Ukraine denies the existence of such an agreement, leading to Seoul's rebuke. President Lee emphasized that if Ukraine does not acknowledge the facts and apologize publicly, additional measures will be taken. The measures are unclear, but South Korea is a significant supporter of Ukraine in East Asia and has limited its support to humanitarian aid due to legislative constraints.

The two POWs were among the several thousand soldiers sent by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to assist Russia in its fight against Ukraine in 2024. South Korea has connections to Russia and has lobbied the EU and the U.K. to continue importing Russian liquefied natural gas without restrictions. President Lee also criticized Ukraine for speaking of an imminent military clash on the Korean Peninsula, a claim denied by Ukraine's chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov, who stated that North Korea is building up its military for potential combat operations in its region.