{
  "id": 15410856,
  "title": "S. Korea, Ukraine had no discussion on timing of disclosing NK POW repatriation: diplomat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/s-korea-ukraine-had-no-discussion-on-timing-of-disclosing-nk-pow",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T13:02:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/foreignaffairs/others/20261018/s-korea-ukraine-had-no-discussion-on-timing-of-disclosing-nk-pow-repatriation-diplomat"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Korea and Ukraine conspired to keep the matter of releasing captured North Korean soldiers confidential for as long as possible, according to Yoon Ji-wan, South Korea's charge d'affaires at the Ukrainian Embassy. Speaking via video during a parliamentary audit, Yoon emphasized that no discussions on the timing of disclosure had taken place. However, they did agree that maintaining confidentiality was crucial for an extended period.\n\nYoon revealed that Ukraine surprised the South Korean embassy when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the repatriation of the North Korean prisoners of war during his address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 23. Yoon also noted that Ukraine has yet to offer a clear explanation for Zelenskyy's disclosure, which has led to criticism within Ukraine over the lack of internal coordination and the breach of confidentiality.\n\nThe Ukrainian side has not refuted the claims made by the South Korean diplomat.",
  "summary": "WARSAW — South Korea and Ukraine had formed a consensus to keep discussions on the repatriation of captured North Korean soldiers confidential for as long as possible, a South Korean diplomat said Sunday. Yoon Ji-wan, charge d'affaires at the South Korean Embassy in Ukraine, made the remark during a parliamentary audit by the subcommittee on foreign affairs conducted at the South Korean Embassy…",
  "key_points": [
    "South Korea and Ukraine kept NK POW repatriation confidential",
    "Ukraine announced repatriation during UN address on Sep 23",
    "Ukraine lacks explanation for disclosure, facing internal criticism"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "S. Korea, Ukraine had no discussion on timing of disclosing N.K. POW repatriation: diplomat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/s-korea-ukraine-had-no-discussion-on-timing-of-disclosing-n-k-pow",
        "published": "2026-10-18T12:33:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "S. Korea, Ukraine had no discussion on timing of disclosing NK POW repatriation: diplomat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/s-korea-ukraine-had-no-discussion-on-timing-of-disclosing-nk-pow-15421431",
        "published": "2026-10-18T14:07:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}