{
  "id": 11338033,
  "title": "Lee warns of 'additional measures' if Ukraine refuses to apologize for NK POW transfer disclosure",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/lee-warns-of-additional-measures-if-ukraine-refuses-to-apologize-for-11338033",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T02:42:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/politics/20261002/lee-warns-of-additional-measures-if-ukraine-refuses-to-apologize-for-nk-pow-transfer-disclosure"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "President Lee Jae Myung warned Friday that South Korea will take \"additional measures\" should Ukraine continue to refuse to officially apologize for denying its agreement to keep the transfer of North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) secret. The South Korean president issued the warning on his X account amid a diplomatic wrangle with Ukraine over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's surprise…",
  "key_points": [
    "South Korea warns of additional measures if Ukraine refuses apology.",
    "Lee Jae Myung accuses Ukraine of violating secrecy agreement.",
    "Lee calls Ukrainian leader a liar for denying confidentiality pact."
  ],
  "editors_take": "South Korea's warning of further steps against Ukraine signals an escalation in their diplomatic spat, implying Ukraine's refusal to apologize may strain their bilateral relations.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "(URGENT) Lee warns of 'additional measures' against Ukraine if it refuses to apologize for N.K. POWs transfer disclosure",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/urgent-lee-warns-of-additional-measures-against-ukraine-if-it-refuses",
        "published": "2026-10-02T01:49:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Lee warns of 'additional measures' if Ukraine refuses to apologize for NK POW transfer disclosure",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/lee-warns-of-additional-measures-if-ukraine-refuses-to-apologize-for",
        "published": "2026-10-02T02:22:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "South Korea warns 'further measures' if Ukraine refuses public apology",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/south-korea-warns-further-measures-if-ukraine-refuses-public-apology",
        "published": "2026-10-02T02:26:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "KBS World Radio",
        "title": "Lee Warns of 'Additional Measures' if Ukraine Continues to Deny POW Confidentiality Deal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/lee-warns-of-additional-measures-if-ukraine-continues-to-deny-pow",
        "published": "2026-10-02T02:32:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC World",
        "title": "Seoul warns 'further action' if Ukraine does not apologise over prisoner-of-war row",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/seoul-warns-further-action-if-ukraine-does-not-apologise-over",
        "published": "2026-10-02T03:09:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "South Korea warns of ‘further measures’ if Ukraine refuses public apology",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/south-korea-warns-of-further-measures-if-ukraine-refuses-public",
        "published": "2026-10-02T03:28:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}