A diplomatic dispute has emerged between South Korea and Ukraine following Ukraine’s announcement that two captured North Korean soldiers had been transferred to South Korea. The incident began last week when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, disclosed that his country had sent two wounded North Korean soldiers captured in Russia to South Korea. Seoul responded by accusing Kyiv of breaching a confidentiality agreement regarding the transfer, a charge Kyiv denies.

South Korea’s government expressed “strong regret” over Ukraine’s decision to publicize the transfer, emphasizing that confidentiality was crucial due to the sensitive nature of the matter. Sung Ki-hong, South Korea’s senior presidential secretary, stated that Ukraine had requested the transfer remain secret and that South Korea had agreed to this to protect the personal safety of the soldiers and their families, who could face severe punishment in North Korea. South Korea officially summoned Ukraine’s chargé d’affaires in Seoul to convey serious concerns, asserting that Kyiv’s unilateral disclosure risked undermining trust between the two governments and potentially jeopardizing their bilateral relations.

In response, Ukraine’s officials have denied that any secrecy pact existed. Dmytro Lytvyn, an adviser to President Zelenskyy, stated on social media that no agreement had been made regarding confidentiality. A senior Ukrainian official noted that the transfer was extensively discussed during a foreign ministers’ meeting in June but that no presidential-level agreement was reached to keep the matter confidential. The official also suggested secrecy was unlikely given public discussions throughout the summer about the soldiers.

The two North Korean soldiers were captured in Russia’s Kursk region in January 2025, amid Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia and North Korea’s reported deployment of approximately 50,000 troops supporting Moscow. Both soldiers reportedly wished to relocate to South Korea, and the countries agreed in July to treat them in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles while respecting their free will.

The dispute comes amid broader tensions in South Korea–Ukraine relations. Kyiv has sought military assistance from Seoul, including access to US-made Patriot missile systems, but South Korea has largely limited its support to humanitarian aid, citing policies against arming active war zones. Ukrainian officials have voiced frustration over Seoul’s increasing commercial ties with Russia, including substantial fuel exports and cooperation in Arctic navigation, which they view as conflicting with Kyiv’s interests.

Domestically, the controversy poses a challenge for South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who has taken a more conciliatory approach toward Pyongyang, drawing criticism from opposition politicians accusing him of appeasement. The revelation of the prisoners’ transfer and subsequent diplomatic fallout underline the complex interplay of security, humanitarian, and political considerations shaping the relationship between South Korea, Ukraine, and their respective engagements with Russia and North Korea.