South Korea demands apology from Ukraine over disclosure of North Korean POW transfer

South Korea has formally demanded an apology and explanation from Ukraine following Kyiv's public disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to Seoul. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's revelation during his United Nations General Assembly address on September 23, 2026, stating that the move violated a confidentiality agreement between the two nations. Seoul's presidential office expressed strong regret, asserting that Ukraine's subsequent denial of such an agreement had severely damaged trust and could have serious diplomatic and security implications, including potential risks to the POWs' families in North Korea.

The dispute escalated as South Korea summoned Ukraine's envoy, conveying "serious concerns" over the unilateral disclosure, which Seoul maintains lacked prior consultation. Ukraine, however, has disputed the existence of a non-disclosure agreement concerning the *fact* of the transfer, with a presidential official indicating that Ukraine is an "open country" and that concealing the handover would be unusual. The two North Korean soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk Oblast in January 2025 while fighting for Russia.

This diplomatic spat risks straining relations between the two countries, potentially complicating Ukraine's ongoing efforts to secure military assistance from its allies, including South Korea. While Ukraine acknowledged that South Korea had requested the destination of the POWs not be disclosed, the disagreement centers on the broader understanding of confidentiality surrounding the entire transfer.