South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on October 2 warned that Seoul would consider "further measures" if Ukraine does not issue a public apology over its disclosure of North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) transferred to South Korea. The president’s remarks followed Ukraine’s recent announcement revealing the transfer of two North Korean soldiers captured while fighting alongside Russian forces in the conflict in Ukraine.
The POWs were seized by Ukrainian troops in early 2025 after being deployed as part of a contingent of thousands of North Korean fighters supporting Russia, reportedly in exchange for economic and military aid provided to Pyongyang. Ukraine disclosed the transfer publicly last week during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech at the United Nations, prompting a strong reaction from Seoul.
South Korea emphasized that it had previously reached a confidential agreement with Ukraine to keep the details of the transfer private, citing concerns for the safety of the prisoners’ families who remain in North Korea. North Korea historically retaliates against defectors and their relatives, heightening Seoul’s rationale for secrecy. President Lee expressed frustration over the disclosure, accusing Kyiv of portraying him as dishonest and stressing that the issue concerned national dignity.
“If Ukraine continues to refuse to acknowledge the facts and publicly apologise, we will take further measures,” Lee said in a post on the social media platform X. Seoul has also indicated that the families of the POWs could become targets of retaliation by North Korean authorities due to the public nature of the transfer.
Analysts suggest that South Korea’s insistence on confidentiality may have also been motivated by Ukraine’s interests, as public acknowledgment could complicate Kyiv’s own prisoner exchange negotiations with Russia. Domestically, however, the South Korean government’s firm response toward Ukraine contrasts with a notably more cautious approach to North Korean provocations, such as a recent landmine incident injuring South Korean soldiers. This inconsistency has drawn criticism, with observers suggesting it could erode public confidence in the current administration.
Addressing the controversy, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the situation not as an incident but as a "diplomatic misunderstanding" during an interview published on October 1. Sybiha expressed hope for continued cooperation between Ukraine and South Korea, underlining the latter’s importance as a partner.
Seoul’s intelligence agency indicated that Zelensky’s decision to make the transfer public may have been aimed at rallying support within South Korea for providing military assistance to Ukraine. While South Korea has become a significant arms exporter in recent years, particularly amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it has maintained a policy against supplying lethal weapons to countries actively engaged in conflict. This stance has limited direct military aid to Kyiv, despite substantial arms deals elsewhere, including with Poland.