President Lee's diplomatic naivety

President Lee Jae Myung's approach to the Ukraine issue regarding the disclosure of North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) has raised concerns about his diplomatic approach. By demanding that Kyiv acknowledge a confidential agreement, apologize for violating it, and face potential "additional measures," Lee may be protecting national pride, but this is not the purpose of diplomacy. The primary goal of diplomacy is to safeguard national interests.

Ukraine was not legally obligated to repatriate the North Korean POWs to South Korea. However, Ukraine chose to comply with the wishes of the prisoners and facilitated their transfer to South Korea. The specifics of the disclosure situation certainly warrant clarification. If Ukraine had explicitly requested confidentiality and then breached that trust, Seoul is within its rights to seek an explanation and an apology through diplomatic channels.

Nevertheless, it is crucial to distinguish between demanding accountability through diplomatic channels and escalating the situation publicly. A more measured diplomatic response would be more beneficial than a confrontational approach that risks turning a manageable misunderstanding into an unnecessary dispute.