South Korea announced on Tuesday it will reduce the number of personnel at its embassy in Kyiv, escalating a diplomatic dispute with Ukraine over the disclosure of a sensitive prisoner transfer. The move follows Ukraine's revelation last month that it had transferred two North Korean prisoners of war, a development South Korea says was meant to remain confidential.

The disagreement traces back to a speech Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave at the United Nations on September 23, during which he publicly mentioned the transfer of the prisoners. South Korea has accused Ukraine of breaching a nondisclosure agreement related to the matter, a claim Ukraine denies. The Ukrainian government maintains no such agreement was in place, a stance that has further strained relations.

In response to the dispute, South Korea recalled its ambassador from Kyiv earlier this month as a form of protest. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi told local media that Kyiv remains committed to "constructive dialogue" and emphasized that "diplomacy must prevail over emotions" amid the tensions.

The incident represents a significant diplomatic rift between South Korea and Ukraine, highlighting the complexities surrounding the handling of prisoners of war and sensitive information during ongoing conflicts. South Korea has yet to outline specific details regarding the scale or timeline of the embassy staff reductions, but the decision signals a notable downturn in bilateral relations at a time of heightened sensitivity.