South Korea Demands Apology From Ukraine over North Korean Prisoners of War Disclosure
- On Sunday, South Korea's presidential office expressed "strong regret" over Ukraine's disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean POWs, alleging Ukraine violated a prior non-disclosure agreement with Seoul.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the transfer at the United Nations General Assembly last Wednesday, describing the soldiers as captured in Russia's Kursk region and noting they were "not easy to capture alive."
- Intelligence reports indicate North Korea deployed approximately 14,000 soldiers to Russia since 2024, with more than 6,000 killed; captured soldiers often attempt suicide rather than surrender, making these POWs exceptional.
- Ukrainian officials denied the existence of a confidentiality agreement, a claim the South Korean presidential office labeled "false," stating the denial "seriously hampers" bilateral trust and disrupts friendship.
- This transfer occurs while South Korea seeks to revive dialogue with North Korea, and United States President Donald Trump has expressed willingness to engage with Pyongyang, complicating the diplomatic landscape.
87 Articles
87 Articles
Two soldiers had been taken prisoner by Ukraine in January 2025, following a military deployment of Pyongyang in support of its Russian ally. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had revealed this information on Thursday in front of the UN, explaining that it had been "not easy to capture them alive".
Seoul seeks apology after Ukraine reveals transfer of North Korean POWs
The row was ignited by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's disclosure last week that his country had sent two North Korean soldiers to the South, adding they were "not easy to capture alive". The intensifying dispute risks complicating Kyiv's efforts to obtain weapons from allies including South Korea to fight off bombardments from Russia. Hours after Zelensky's disclosure, South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung criticised the action. "I do…
Seoul demands apology after Kyiv reveals transfer of North Korean POWs
North Korean soldiers were among the foreign contingent conscripted to fight alongside Russian troops on various frontlines in the war on Ukraine, after the Kremlin sought assistance from its close allies to bolster its deployments amid struggles with domestic conscription.
South Korea's presidency has demanded an apology from Ukraine for failing to keep secret an agreement to hand over two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul.
South Korea's presidency has demanded an apology from Ukraine for failing to keep secret an agreement to hand over two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul.
South Korea demands Ukraine apology over denial of confidential deal on North’s prisoners of war
The incident came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the United Nations that his country had sent two North Korean soldiers to the South, adding they were "not easy to capture alive".
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