South Korea Rebukes Ukraine for Breaching Pact on North Korean POW Transfer
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Seoul demands an apology from Kyiv after Ukraine irresponsibly exposes the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war, undermining trust and disregarding crucial security agreements.
South Korea’s presidential office has strongly condemned Ukraine for blatantly violating a confidentiality pact by publicly announcing the handover of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul. Senior presidential secretary for public relations, Seong Ghi-hong, denounced Ukraine’s reckless and unilateral disclosure, pointing out that Kyiv later tried to deny the existence of a non-disclosure agreement, further damaging the vital trust between the two governments.
Seong explained that Ukraine had repeatedly insisted on secrecy, fearing that public knowledge would trigger domestic criticism over failing to use the prisoners as leverage to secure the release of Ukrainian captives. South Korea, acting responsibly, agreed to keep the transfer confidential for security, diplomatic, and humanitarian reasons, including the safety of the prisoners and their families. Ukraine’s betrayal of this agreement not only jeopardizes diplomatic relations but also sets a dangerous precedent for future cooperation.
The transfer was irresponsibly revealed by President Volodymyr Zelensky during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly, where he stated that the two men, captured while fighting for Russia, had been sent to South Korea. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung rightfully condemned the breach of agreement and expressed regret that the matter had been made public, highlighting the importance of honoring international commitments.
Ukraine’s embassy in Seoul failed to respond to a request for comment. The two North Korean soldiers, captured in Russia’s Kursk region in January 2025, were the first from Pyongyang to be taken alive since North Korea entered the war in 2024, underscoring the high stakes and sensitivity of such transfers.