South Korea has expressed concern over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent public disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to South Korea, which Seoul says was meant to be confidential. The revelation, made by Zelenskyy during a United Nations speech last week, has sparked diplomatic tensions between the two countries amid ongoing discussions about military assistance to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine had handed over the two North Korean soldiers, describing their capture as a difficult operation. South Korean President Lee Jaemyung responded swiftly, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality in protecting the POWs and their families from potential retaliation in North Korea. Following this, South Korea summoned Ukraine’s envoy to formally raise “serious concerns” about the breach of privacy.
According to South Korean lawmaker Yoo Yeong-ha, the country’s intelligence agency suspects that Zelenskyy disclosed the information to bolster domestic support in South Korea for providing arms and other assistance to Ukraine. Yoo noted that while no formal confidentiality agreement was made between the leaders of both countries, diplomatic officials had agreed to maintain discretion, especially due to sensitivities surrounding future prisoner exchanges with Russia.
Another South Korean lawmaker, Youn Kun-young, reported that the two POWs arrived in South Korea from Ukraine in mid-September and were found to be in generally good health. The intelligence services confirmed the soldiers’ willingness to relocate to South Korea. One of the North Korean defectors told local media that he was conscripted at age 17 and had served in a reconnaissance unit during his deployment alongside Russian forces.
The transfer of the POWs relates to Ukraine’s capture of North Korean troops fighting on Russia’s side early last year. South Korean officials have highlighted the personal safety risks for the soldiers and their families, prompting a request for confidentiality between Seoul and Kyiv. Yoo clarified that Ukraine had initially called for strict confidentiality to avoid jeopardizing future prisoner swaps with Russia.
The incident has introduced complexities into Kyiv’s ongoing appeals for military aid from South Korea. To date, Seoul has refrained from supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine, citing domestic legal restrictions on assisting countries engaged in active conflict. Nonetheless, South Korea has been considering requests for defensive weaponry, particularly in light of North Korea’s confirmed deployment of troops to support Russia’s military efforts.
The disclosure of the POW transfer underscores the delicate balance South Korea faces in navigating its support for Ukraine while managing regional security concerns and maintaining cautious diplomatic relations. Both governments remain engaged in dialogue as Seoul evaluates its potential military assistance within the constraints of its domestic policies.