{
  "id": 11357266,
  "title": "Ukraine, South Korea clash over transfer of 2 North Korean prisoners",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/ukraine-south-korea-clash-over-transfer-of-2-north-korean-prisoners",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T04:40:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW News",
    "slug": "dw-news",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-south-korea-clash-over-transfer-of-2-north-korean-prisoners/a-79508601?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ukraine and South Korea have been at odds over the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war. On September 23, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine had sent the prisoners to South Korea, after they had expressed a desire to resettle there following their capture by Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk region in January 2025. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called the transfer a sensitive issue, emphasizing the potential impacts on diplomacy and national security on the Korean Peninsula. Ukraine's spokesperson, Dmytro Lytvyn, denied any confidentiality agreement between the two countries, insisting that the transfer should have been made public. South Korean officials called Lytvyn's claims false, stating that Ukraine had requested confidentiality for diplomatic and protective reasons. Experts suggest that the lack of trust between the two nations has contributed to the diplomatic crisis, with South Korean media highlighting the constitutional status of North Koreans as South Korean citizens.",
  "summary": "A diplomatic scandal has erupted over two North Korean prisoners of war, with South Korea demanding an apology from Ukraine. What's been the reaction in Kyiv?",
  "key_points": [
    "Ukraine transferred 2 North Korean POWs to South Korea on September 23.",
    "South Korea called the transfer a sensitive issue impacting diplomacy.",
    "Ukraine denied confidentiality agreement, South Korea confirmed request for secrecy."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The dispute over the transfer of North Korean prisoners reveals a rift in trust between Ukraine and South Korea, potentially complicating diplomatic relations and Seoul's handling of North Korean affairs.",
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/11357266.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "Ukrainian minister hopes to heal ‘misunderstanding’ with South Korea, media reports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/ukrainian-minister-hopes-to-heal-misunderstanding-with-south-korea",
        "published": "2026-10-02T02:02:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Ukrainian minister hopes to heal ‘misunderstanding’ with South Korea",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/ukrainian-minister-hopes-to-heal-misunderstanding-with-south-korea-11347440",
        "published": "2026-10-02T03:14:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RTE News",
        "title": "South Korea to take 'measures' if Ukraine refuses apology",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/south-korea-to-take-measures-if-ukraine-refuses-apology",
        "published": "2026-10-02T03:37:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Ukraine, South Korea clash over transfer of 2 North Korean prisoners",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/ukraine-south-korea-clash-over-transfer-of-2-north-korean-prisoners-11360085",
        "published": "2026-10-02T04:40:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}