South Korea demands apology from Zelensky over disclosure of POW transfer
- Diplomatic tensions between Seoul and Kyiv escalated sharply after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly disclosed the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea during...
- The two North Korean soldiers were captured in January 2025 while fighting alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region during active combat.
- Ukrainian authorities initially intended to keep the transfer quiet to protect the lives of the soldiers and their relatives remaining in North Korea.
Diplomatic tensions between Seoul and Kyiv escalated sharply after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly disclosed the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea during an address at the United Nations General Assembly. The disclosure violated a prior agreement to keep the operation secret to protect the soldiers and their families, according to statements released by the South Korean presidential bureau. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung demanded a formal explanation and an apology from Kyiv, warning that his government would consider taking unspecified measures if the demands were not met.
The Transfer of Two North Korean Prisoners of War
The two North Korean soldiers were captured in January 2025 while fighting alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region during active combat. Following their capture, both individuals expressed a clear desire to be sent to South Korea rather than face repatriation. In North Korea, military regulations treat surrender as an act of treason. One of the captured soldiers stated during an interview in January 2025 that other soldiers chose to detonate explosives rather than surrender, adding that he would spend the rest of his life dealing with regret.
Ukrainian authorities initially intended to keep the transfer quiet to protect the lives of the soldiers and their relatives remaining in North Korea. Officials in Kyiv also sought to avoid domestic criticism and protect their bargaining power for future prisoner exchanges involving detained Ukrainian soldiers held in Russia. However, President Zelensky abandoned that confidentiality during his address at the United Nations General Assembly, announcing openly that the transfer had been successfully executed.
Accusations of Secret-Breaking and Demands for Apologies
The public announcement prompted an immediate and angry reaction from the South Korean government. Seong Ghi Hong, senior public relations secretary for the South Korean president, issued a formal statement on September 27, condemning the unilateral disclosure. The presidential bureau stated that Kyiv had repeatedly communicated through diplomatic channels to request secrecy and that subsequent denials by Ukrainian officials regarding the existence of a confidentiality agreement had severely damaged mutual trust.
While President Zelensky denied that any formal secrecy agreement had ever been established, President Lee Jae-myung insisted on immediate apologies and formal clarifications, threatening unspecified measures. Conservative opposition figures in Seoul, including lawmaker Jang Dong-hyeok, argued that the primary motivation behind the initial push for secrecy was to avoid provoking North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Geopolitical Realignment and Relations with Russia
Analysts point to broader political shifts and diplomatic maneuvering to explain the intensity of Seoul’s reaction. Remco Breuker, a professor of Korean studies at Leiden University, noted that the public anger displayed by President Lee reflects the administration’s progressive political leaning and its desire to lower military tensions on the Korean peninsula. Breuker suggested that the current South Korean leadership wants to restore dialogue with Pyongyang and maintain traditionally constructive relations with Moscow, making close alignment with Ukraine’s military objectives counterproductive.
South Korea ranks as the ninth-largest exporter of major weapons systems globally for the period between 2021 and 2025, according to data from the Stockholm International Research Institute.
Domestic Political Pressures Facing President Lee
However, sliding domestic popularity—with recent figures dropping to approximately 38 percent—has left the administration searching for stable footing. Analysts indicate that leaning into a more traditional progressive foreign policy stance regarding North Korea and Russia may serve as a strategic effort to shore up domestic support.
Intelligence assessments indicate that North Korea has deployed between 12,000 and 15,000 soldiers to support Russian operations, with thousands already reported killed or wounded. Reports from Ukrainian officials suggest Pyongyang may prepare to send additional soldiers alongside advanced missile systems.
Official Explanations Awaited as Deadlines Approach
The Ukrainian embassy in Seoul has not issued a formal comment regarding the demand for apologies. South Korean authorities continue to evaluate potential policy adjustments. The unfolding rift threatens to freeze bilateral cooperation between Seoul and Kyiv while reshaping how South Korea manages its delicate balance between Western security partnerships and traditional trade ties with Moscow and Pyongyang.