Brief
Ukraine accused of breaching secrecy after revealing North Korean POW transfer to South Korea
The Ukrainian president’s UN statement has sparked a diplomatic row, with Seoul calling for an official apology and questioning the safety of the prisoners.
By Felo News Desk · Published
On 27 September, South Korea’s presidential office demanded an apology from Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed that two North Korean soldiers, captured while fighting for Russia, had been transferred to Seoul. The disclosure was made at the UN General Assembly, where Zelensky said the men had been sent from Kyiv to South Korea in early 2025.
South Korea says the transfer was covered by a nondisclosure agreement that both sides had signed to protect the prisoners’ safety and avoid domestic criticism. The Seoul government claims that Zelensky’s public statement breached that agreement and damaged trust between the two governments.
South Korean reaction
Senior presidential secretary Seong Ghi‑Hong said the “unilateral disclosure” violated the agreement and that Seoul would seek “additional measures” to safeguard the POWs. He added that Ukraine’s denial of the agreement was a “false” statement that seriously undermined friendly relations.
Ukraine’s position
Kyiv has denied that a nondisclosure agreement existed and has downplayed the disclosure, arguing that no such contract was signed. The Ukrainian government maintains that the transfer was conducted in good faith and that the men were sent to Seoul after being captured on a battlefield in early 2025.
Context of North Korean involvement in the Ukraine war
The two soldiers are among thousands of North Korean troops that have supported Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. Seoul has expressed concern over the safety of the prisoners and their families in North Korea, while Kyiv worries about domestic criticism for exchanging them for Ukrainian soldiers held in Russia.
South Korea’s demand for an apology comes amid heightened tensions in the region, following recent incidents such as the 2026 Kaesong liaison office bombing and a DMZ explosion that injured three officers.
Key facts
- South Korea demanded an apology from Ukraine for disclosing a secret transfer of two North Korean POWs (independent.co.uk)
- The transfer was said to have taken place in early 2025 (independent.co.uk)
- Seong Ghi‑Hong, a senior presidential secretary, said the disclosure breached a nondisclosure agreement (independent.co.uk)
- Ukraine denies that a nondisclosure agreement existed (independent.co.uk)
Background
The incident follows recent diplomatic tensions between South Korea and North Korea, including a court ruling ordering North Korea to pay $32.5 million for the 2020 Kaesong liaison office bombing.
Timeline
- 2026-09-28 — South Korea demands apology after Zelensky’s UN statement
- 2026-09-16 — South Korea court orders North Korea to pay $32.5 million for Kaesong bombing
- 2026-09-21 — Three South Korean officers injured in DMZ explosion
Why it matters
The dispute highlights the sensitivity of prisoner exchanges involving North Korean soldiers and the potential diplomatic fallout from public disclosures.
What happens next
South Korea is seeking an official apology and explanation from Ukraine; further diplomatic negotiations are expected.
