{
  "id": 10837173,
  "title": "Spy agency says Ukraine first requested confidentiality over transfer of N. Korean POWs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/spy-agency-says-ukraine-first-requested-confidentiality-over-transfer",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T02:42:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/20260930/spy-agency-says-ukraine-first-requested-confidentiality-over-transfer-of-n-korean-pows"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The National Intelligence Service (NIS) of South Korea revealed on Wednesday that Ukraine was the first to request the confidentiality of a transfer involving two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to South Korea. The NIS stated that both countries had agreed from the outset to maintain the transfer's secrecy. According to the NIS briefing to the National Assembly's intelligence committee, the two North Korean soldiers arrived in South Korea during mid-September and were reported to be in good health. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine announced the transfer during a United Nations address last week. However, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and his office contended that Ukraine had violated a confidentiality agreement intended to safeguard the soldiers from potential dangers if their transfer was disclosed. Later, a Ukrainian presidential official reportedly denied the existence of such an agreement. The South Korean foreign ministry confirmed the matter on Monday.",
  "summary": "Ukraine was the first to ask the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to South Korea be kept a secret, Seoul's spy agency said Wednesday, adding the two countries had a shared understanding to keep the transfer confidential from the beginning of the transfer process. In a briefing to the National Assembly's intelligence committee, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) also said…",
  "key_points": [
    "Ukraine requested confidentiality for transferring 2 North Korean POWs to South Korea",
    "Transfer occurred in mid-September, both nations agreed on secrecy",
    "Ukrainian president announced transfer during UN address, South Korean officials claimed violation"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Ukraine's disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean POWs to South Korea appears to have strained its relationship with South Korea over a claimed confidentiality agreement.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Spy agency says Ukraine first requested confidentiality over transfer of N. Korean POWs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/spy-agency-says-ukraine-first-requested-confidentiality-over-transfer-10840726",
        "published": "2026-09-30T02:34:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Spy agency says Ukraine first requested confidentiality over transfer of N. Korean POWs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/spy-agency-says-ukraine-first-requested-confidentiality-over-transfer-10840646",
        "published": "2026-09-30T03:02:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Seoul suspects Zelenskyy revealed N.Korean POW transfer to win arms support",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/seoul-suspects-zelenskyy-revealed-n-korean-pow-transfer-to-win-arms",
        "published": "2026-09-30T03:24:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}