South Korea threatens Ukraine over disclosure of North Korean POW transfer
South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung has threatened unspecified "further action" against Ukraine unless it publicly apologises for disclosing that two North Korean prisoners of war had been transferred to Seoul. The core dispute is over whether confidentiality was mutually agreed: Kyiv denies any such accord, whilst Seoul insists Ukraine specifically requested secrecy to protect the soldiers' families and avoid criticism of forgoing a prisoner exchange.
The two North Korean soldiers were among thousands supporting Russia in Ukraine and had expressed a desire to move to South Korea. Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed the transfer at the UN General Assembly last week, provoking backlash in Seoul. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the incident as a "diplomatic misunderstanding", whilst President Lee escalated by accusing Ukraine of attempting to "provoke a war on the Korean Peninsula". Lee now faces domestic criticism for allegedly covering up the transfer to appease Pyongyang.
- South Korea demands Ukraine apologise for publicly revealing secret North Korean prisoner-of-war transfer
- Dispute over whether keeping the move confidential was mutually agreed between Seoul and Kyiv
- Lee faces domestic pressure after being accused of covering up transfer to appease North Korea
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North Korea has deployed thousands of troops to support Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Two of these soldiers recently chose to defect to South Korea, and Ukraine helped facilitate their transfer. This has unexpectedly created a diplomatic crisis between Seoul and Kyiv.
The disagreement centres on claims about confidentiality. South Korea insists that Ukraine specifically requested the transfer be kept secret, citing the need to protect the soldiers' families and avoid criticism of prisoner-of-war handling. Ukraine denies any such agreement was made.
The dispute comes at a time when South Korea and Ukraine need to coordinate closely against Russian and North Korean aggression. The loss of trust between them could affect their ability to work together effectively.
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Originally published by BBC World as “Seoul warns ‘further action’ if Ukraine does not apologise over prisoner-of-war row”.