Seoul threatens ‘further action’ unless Kyiv apologises over North Korean POWs

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Seoul could take “further action” unless Ukraine apologises for disclosing the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed the transfer during an address to the UN General Assembly last week. Seoul said the arrangement had been intended to remain secret.

Kyiv calls dispute a diplomatic misunderstanding

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Thursday that Kyiv was working to settle the issue. He described South Korea as an important country and expressed hope for a swift resolution.

Lee rejected that description in a post on X, saying the matter concerned “the dignity of the Korean people and the nation.” He also accused Kyiv of attempting to “bring war on the Korean Peninsula”.

Seoul and Kyiv dispute confidentiality

Lee’s office previously said Ukraine had requested secrecy, citing the protection of the North Koreans’ families and Kyiv’s wish to avoid criticism for giving up a possible exchange of the soldiers for Ukrainian prisoners of war.

Zelensky’s office said the two countries had no agreement to keep the transfer confidential, escalating the dispute.

The two soldiers were among thousands of North Koreans supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine. They had previously told local media that they wanted to go to South Korea.

Lee has also faced domestic criticism, with the opposition accusing him of concealing the transfer to appease Pyongyang. Seoul has supported Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion but maintains a longstanding policy against providing lethal weapons to countries involved in an active war.