South Korea has formally demanded an official apology from Ukraine after accusing Kyiv of violating and then denying the existence of a confidentiality agreement surrounding the transfer of two captured North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to South Korea. The controversy escalated after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly announced the transfer during the United Nations General Assembly.
The North Korean soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region in January 2025, amid a broader conflict involving substantial North Korean troop deployments to support Russian operations. South Korea has expressed deep disappointment at Ukraine’s unilateral disclosure, which they say undermines trust between the two governments and damages friendly relations.
Details of the Agreement Breach and Reactions
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy revealed the POW transfer during his UN address, noting the difficulty of capturing these soldiers alive. Hours after, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed his disappointment on social media, questioning why Ukraine broke the agreement to keep the transfer confidential.
South Korea’s senior presidential secretary for public relations, Seong Ghi-hong, made the demand for an official explanation and apology official, describing Ukraine’s actions as “a very serious matter” that harms diplomatic trust. Seong also indicated that Seoul is considering additional measures in response but did not specify what those measures might be.
Context of the POW Capture and Diplomatic Implications
The two North Korean soldiers were among approximately 14,000 North Korean troops deployed to Russia’s Kursk region. Ukrainian intelligence estimates that around 3,000 North Korean soldiers were killed and 1,500 injured, with the remainder still on Russian territory; none are believed to have fought on Ukrainian soil.
According to Ukrainian reports, captured North Korean soldiers often chose suicide over surrender, making the two live POWs notable. South Korea’s constitution considers North Koreans as citizens, authorizing them to live in South Korea, but the government has been cautious about taking custody amid sensitive inter-Korean relations.
Ongoing Military and Diplomatic Context
South Korea remains an ally of Ukraine but has mainly provided non-lethal aid to date. Kyiv has sought more advanced military support, such as air defense systems, from Seoul. Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy has recently warned that up to 50,000 additional North Korean troops might be deployed to Russia, indicating escalating military involvement in the conflict.
