South Korea recalls Ukraine ambassador after prisoner transfer dispute

South Korea has announced the recall of its ambassador to Ukraine, marking an escalation in a diplomatic dispute that began when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly disclosed the transfer of two captured North Korean soldiers to Seoul. South Korea had expected the transfer to remain confidential and argues that Ukraine violated an agreement to keep it secret, while Zelensky's office contends no such agreement existed. This rift is significant because it strains ties between two nations that have been aligned against Russian aggression, particularly as Ukraine has been intensifying pressure on South Korea to supply advanced weaponry.

The controversy centres on Zelensky's September announcement at the UN General Assembly that Ukraine had captured and transferred two injured North Korean soldiers who had been fighting for Russia in the war. South Korea's Foreign Minister initially received an apology from his Ukrainian counterpart but stated it fell short of expectations. Although South Korea has demonstrated sympathy for Ukraine and provided a $100 million non-lethal assistance package this July, including helmets, body armour and medical supplies, it has maintained its longstanding policy of not supplying lethal weapons to countries in active conflict. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has stated that "diplomacy should prevail over emotions" and remains open to restoring dialogue.