South Korea recalls Ukraine envoy over dispute about North Korean POWs

South Korea is recalling its ambassador to Ukraine, escalating a dispute over Kyiv’s transfer of two captured North Korean soldiers to Seoul.

Seoul says Ukraine breached an understanding that the transfer would remain confidential. Volodymyr Zelensky’s office denies that a non-disclosure agreement existed.

Dispute over prisoner transfer

Zelensky announced the transfer during a speech to the UN General Assembly in September. The two injured North Korean soldiers had previously told local media they wanted to be sent to South Korea.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called the disclosure “greatly disappointing” and said the matter was highly sensitive for national security. His office said confidentiality was intended partly to protect the soldiers’ families, while Kyiv also wanted to avoid criticism that it had given up the chance to exchange them for Ukrainian prisoners of war.

Seoul seeks an explanation

Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo filed a formal complaint with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Vieshkin in September. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said earlier this week that he had received an apology from Ukraine, but that it fell short of Seoul’s expectations, local media reported.

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that it would continue consultations with Ukraine and expected outstanding issues to be resolved. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said diplomacy should prevail over emotions and that Kyiv remained open to restoring constructive dialogue.

Support without lethal weapons

South Korea has supported Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion but maintains a policy of not providing lethal weapons to countries engaged in active war. In July, Seoul announced a $100 million assistance package, expanding earlier non-lethal aid that included helmets, personal armour and medical equipment.

After North Korean troops were deployed to support Russia in 2024, Kyiv urged Seoul to provide advanced anti-air missiles to defend Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Russia warned it could retaliate if South Korea supplied arms to Ukraine but did not specify what action it might take.