South Korea recalled its ambassador to Ukraine
A diplomatic conflict arose after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that two North Korean prisoners had been handed over to Seoul. South Korea recalled its ambassador, demanding an official explanation and apology from Kyiv for violating the non-disclosure agreement. Dialogues are ongoing.
South Korea has recalled its ambassador to Ukraine
South Korea has recalled its ambassador to Ukraine, Park Ki-chang, due to a diplomatic conflict that arose after Kyiv disclosed information about the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul.
"The South Korean government is demanding an official explanation and apology in connection with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's recent public announcement regarding the transfer of two North Korean soldiers to Seoul," the statement said.
This decision was made six days after President Lee Jae-myung stated, "If the Ukrainian government continues to refuse to acknowledge the facts and apologize, we will take additional measures."
Seoul is also demanding that the President's Office retract its statement claiming there was no agreement to keep this matter secret. The report notes that Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul accepted an apology from his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha, but "this apology was not at the level Seoul expected."
For this reason, the government decided to recall its ambassador to Ukraine. However, South Korean officials expressed hope that the issues in relations between the two countries would be resolved and are continuing consultations with the Ukrainian side.
In January 2025, the Armed Forces of Ukraine captured two North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk region. They were the first North Korean military personnel to be captured alive since Pyongyang entered the Russia-Ukraine war in 2024.
Recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced at the UN General Assembly that Ukraine had handed over the two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea.
One of them attempted suicide after being captured.
"That is how people are raised in the North. This is the reality. They strip people of their freedom. They eliminate the right to choose and instill in their minds that they must die," he noted.
Following this, Seoul protested, emphasizing that the parties had agreed not to disclose this fact.