Lee warns of 'additional measures' if Ukraine refuses to apologize for NK POW transfer disclosure

President Lee Jae Myung cautioned on Friday that South Korea would take further steps if Ukraine persists in not officially apologizing for concealing the transfer of North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to South Korea. The South Korean leader made the statement on his X account amidst a diplomatic disagreement with Ukraine following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's unexpected revelation last week about the covert transfer of two North Korean POWs to South Korea.

Seoul has accused Ukraine of violating a bilateral agreement to maintain the secrecy of the transfer, while Ukraine has denied the existence of such a confidentiality pact. President Lee emphasized that Ukraine unilaterally disclosed the transfer, despite previously demanding confidentiality from South Korea. He also labeled the Ukrainian head of state a "liar" for claiming the nondisclosure agreement did not exist.

In response to Ukraine's refusal to acknowledge the agreement and apologize, Lee suggested that South Korea might take additional measures.