Seoul warns ‘further action’ if Ukraine does not apologise over prisoner-of-war row

President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea has vowed to implement unspecified "further action" if Ukraine fails to issue a formal apology for revealing the secret transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed the information to the UN General Assembly, provoking anger in Seoul, who claimed the disclosure was intended to remain confidential.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated on Thursday that the situation is a "diplomatic misunderstanding" and that Kyiv is actively attempting to resolve it. South Korea's President Lee rejected this assessment, emphasizing the importance of "the dignity of the Korean people and the nation" on his social media platform. According to South Korea's office, Ukraine had requested the transfer to be kept secret, partly to safeguard the families of the North Koreans and to avoid criticism of Kyiv for potentially giving up an opportunity to exchange the soldiers for Ukrainian prisoners of war.

Zelensky's office refuted this claim, stating that no such agreement existed to keep the move confidential. The controversy has led to criticism of South Korean President Lee at home, with the opposition accusing him of concealing the transfer to appease North Korea. The two soldiers, who were among thousands of North Koreans supporting Russia in the Ukraine conflict, had previously expressed their desire to be sent to South Korea.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha expressed hope for a swift resolution, stating that South Korea is an important country for Kyiv and that he hopes for tangible progress in their relationship. President Lee accused Kyiv of attempting to "bring war on the Korean Peninsula," expressing regret that Ukraine is focusing on a potential military clash between North and South Korea instead of acknowledging the facts of the agreement and apologizing.

Seoul has shown solidarity with Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion, but has maintained its policy of not providing lethal weapons to any country currently engaged in active war.