South Korea Demands Apology From Ukraine Over POW Transfer Revelation

South Korea has demanded an official apology and explanation from Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. Seoul claims the transfer was intended to be kept secret and that Ukraine violated a nondisclosure agreement by disclosing it.

Zelenskyy announced the transfer during a speech at the U.N. General Assembly last week, stating that Ukraine had recently sent the men to South Korea. According to Zelenskyy, the prisoners were captured on a Ukraine-Russia battlefield in early 2025. He noted that one of the soldiers attempted suicide upon realizing he was being taken prisoner.

South Korea's presidential office expressed strong regret over Ukraine's actions, calling the denial of a nondisclosure agreement an act that “seriously undermines trust” and causes “significant damage to friendly relations.” The office stated that an agreement had been reached due to South Korea's concerns about the safety of the North Korean soldiers and their relatives, as well as unspecified diplomatic and security issues. Ukraine, meanwhile, had concerns about potential domestic criticism for forgoing an opportunity to exchange the prisoners for Ukrainian soldiers held in Russia.

While Ukraine has denied making such a deal, calls to Ukraine's Embassy in Seoul went unanswered on Monday.

The two North Korean soldiers had expressed a desire to resettle in South Korea in media interviews while still in Ukraine. South Korea, which legally considers North Korea part of its territory, has a policy of accepting and supporting North Korean defectors and had urged Ukraine not to send them back to North Korea, where they could face persecution.

Thousands of North Korean soldiers have reportedly been sent to support Russia's war in Ukraine. South Korea has provided humanitarian aid and joined U.S.-led economic sanctions against Russia but has resisted calls to provide direct military support, adhering to its policy of not supplying weapons to countries in active conflict.

Some analysts suggest Zelenskyy may have revealed the transfer to highlight North Korea's involvement in the war and attract greater Western assistance. Meanwhile, South Korea's government was reportedly concerned that news of the transfer could provoke an angry response from North Korea and hinder diplomatic efforts between Pyongyang and Washington.