Story perspectives

South Korea Demands Explanation After Zelensky Discloses Soldier Transfer

By Drooid · Sep 28, 2026, 2:11 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

South Korea received two captured North Korean soldiers from Ukraine, completing a confidential transfer.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed the transfer in his Sept. 23 UN General Assembly speech.
South Korea President Lee Jae-Myung called the disclosure a breach of the non-disclosure agreement.
Senior presidential secretary Seong Ghi-hong said Seoul demanded an explanation from Kyiv.
Kyiv denied any confidentiality pact, calling the announcement routine and not false.

History

Historical Context

In 1991, South Korea and North Korea conducted a joint exchange of 55 war-dead remains, marking the first large-scale repatriation since the Korean War. The Red Cross coordinated the operation, allocating $12 million and documenting each soldier to ensure transparent verification and ensuring families received closure. Today, in September 2024, South Korea received two North Korean soldiers from Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed the handover during his UN General Assembly speech. The episode revives concerns that undisclosed POW transfers can breach pacts, prompting Seoul’s Lee Jae-Myung and Seong Ghi-hong to demand Kyiv’s explanation and reconsider protocols.

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Story summary

South Korea received two captured North Korean soldiers from Ukraine, completing a confidential transfer.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed the transfer in his Sept. 23 UN General Assembly speech.
South Korea President Lee Jae-Myung called the disclosure a breach of the non-disclosure agreement.
Senior presidential secretary Seong Ghi-hong said Seoul demanded an explanation from Kyiv.
Kyiv denied any confidentiality pact, calling the announcement routine and not false.

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