Full Breakdown
South Korea Demands Apology from Ukraine Over Secret Transfer of North Korean POWs
By Drooid · · How we work
The Disputed Disclosure
Two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region in January 2025 were transferred to the Republic of Korea. Seoul said the transfer was under a confidentiality agreement and that Zelensky’s public announcement violated it. Ukraine denied any nondisclosure arrangement, calling the claim “false.” The disagreement has escalated into a diplomatic row, with South Korea demanding an official explanation and apology.
Background & Context
North Korea began deploying troops to support Russia’s war against Ukraine in 2024, sending an estimated 14,000-15,000 soldiers. By mid-2025, more than 6,000 of those troops had been killed, according to officials. South Korea treats North Koreans as its own citizens under Article 3 of its constitution and has welcomed more than 34,000 arrivals since the Korean War. The two captured soldiers expressed a desire to resettle in the South, prompting Seoul to negotiate a humanitarian transfer with Kyiv.
Data & Statistics
- 2 North Korean POWs transferred to South Korea.
- January 2025: capture in the Kursk region.
- ?6,000 North Korean combat casualties reported.
Official Statements & Responses
Ukraine’s presidential aide Dmytro Lytvyn said Ukraine is “an open country” and that it would be “unusual” to keep the transfer secret, implying no formal confidentiality pact existed. The Ukrainian embassy in Seoul has not responded to requests for comment.
Criticism & Opposition
Domestically, the opposition People Power Party (PPP) accused the Lee administration of “bending over backwards” to appease North Korea. PPP leader Jang Dong-hyuk called the handling “a murder and a traitor” for endangering national interest. The ruling Democratic Party, through chief spokesperson Rep. Park Sung-joon, defended the confidentiality decision as necessary for the safety of the defectors and their families.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There is ample basis under humanitarian and human rights law for these POWs to be transferred to a third country of their choice so long as that third country of their choice is prepared to take them,” — Peter Ward
- “But considering the various issues that public disclosure would cause, keeping it confidential was the most rational course of action in every respect, and this was what we agreed on.” — Seoul’s Ministry
What Comes Next
South Korea’s Unification Ministry announced that the two soldiers will undergo security screening and questioning by the National Intelligence Service, with protection and possible resettlement under the North Korean Defectors Protection and Settlement Support Act. The investigation and temporary protective custody may last up to 90 days, with extensions possible in “unavoidable circumstances.” A September 28 briefing is scheduled to outline the next steps for the soldiers’ protection, debriefing, and integration.
The dispute highlights tension in South Korea-Ukraine relations as Kyiv seeks advanced defensive weapons from Seoul while South Korea limits aid to non-lethal support. The outcome may affect future humanitarian cooperation and broader diplomatic engagement on the Korean Peninsula.