Brief
South Korea says Zelensky’s POW disclosure aimed to rally support
Seoul’s spy service says the Ukrainian president’s UN revelation was a political move to win South Korean support for more assistance.
By Felo News Desk · Published
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service said on Wednesday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent UN disclosure of a secret transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul was likely intended to generate public support for greater aid to Ukraine.
The agency, speaking after a closed‑door meeting with a parliamentary committee, said Zelensky’s claim was meant to rally South Korean opinion in favour of supplying weapons and other assistance, a move that would break the country’s policy of not providing arms to active combatants.
Seoul has demanded an apology from Kyiv and an explanation of a nondisclosure agreement it says was breached, but Ukraine denies any such deal existed. The two North Korean soldiers arrived in South Korea in mid‑September and, according to a lawmaker present at the meeting, have no major health issues and expressed a desire to resettle in the South.
South Korean officials warned the transfer could provoke protests from North Korea and undermine talks between Pyongyang and the United States.
Key facts
- South Korea’s intelligence agency assessed Zelensky’s POW disclosure was meant to rally public support for aid to Ukraine. (independent.co.uk)
- Seoul has asked Kyiv for an apology and clarification of a nondisclosure agreement, which Ukraine denies. (independent.co.uk)
- The two North Korean prisoners arrived in South Korea in mid‑September and have no major health issues. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “South Korea says Zelenskyy's revelation of a secret POW transfer was likely a play for more support”
