South Korea demands apology after Ukraine discloses transfer of North Korean prisoners

South Korea has demanded an official explanation and apology from Ukraine after Kyiv disclosed the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea, despite an agreement to keep the move confidential. Seong Ghi-hong, a senior presidential secretary for public relations, said Seoul strongly regretted Ukraine’s “unilateral disclosure” and its subsequent denial that a non-disclosure agreement existed. He said the South Korean government was considering further measures if necessary.

According to Seong, Ukraine had discussed the transfer repeatedly with South Korea through several channels and had requested secrecy. Kyiv was concerned that publicising the move could prompt domestic criticism that it had abandoned a possible opportunity to exchange the soldiers for Ukrainian prisoners. South Korea agreed to the request because of security, diplomatic and humanitarian concerns, including the safety of the prisoners and their relatives, Seong said.

Seoul later accused Ukraine of revealing the transfer in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s address to the United Nations General Assembly without adequate prior consultation. Seong said Ukraine then denied that a confidentiality agreement had existed, an assertion he said had seriously damaged trust between the two governments and could affect bilateral relations. Ukraine’s embassy in Seoul did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Zelensky said the two men had been sent to South Korea after being captured while fighting for Russia in the war against Ukraine. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung had earlier said Kyiv breached the agreement. In a social-media post, Lee said confidentiality had been appropriate because of the potential consequences and called the disclosure deeply regrettable.

The soldiers were captured in Russia’s Kursk region in January 2025. They were the first North Korean soldiers captured alive since Pyongyang entered the war in 2024 to support Russia, according to the supplied material. Seoul had previously declined to confirm their arrival, citing concerns about their safety and that of family members in North Korea.

The two governments had discussed a transfer after the soldiers expressed a wish to go to South Korea, according to an opposition lawmaker in Seoul. The dispute comes as South Korea supports efforts to revive dialogue with North Korea and US President Donald Trump has renewed his willingness to engage with Pyongyang.