Full Breakdown
Diplomatic Row Over Secret Transfer of North Korean POWs Between South Korea and Ukraine
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On Sept 23, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced at the United Nations General Assembly that Ukraine had transferred two North Korean prisoners of war, captured while fighting for Russia, to the Republic of Korea. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called the disclosure “deeply regrettable” and warned of “further measures” if Kyiv did not issue a public apology and acknowledge what Seoul describes as a confidentiality agreement.
Background & Context
North Korean troops have been fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine since 2024, with estimates of 14,000-15,000 soldiers deployed. Two of those captured in Russia’s Kursk region in early 2025 expressed a desire to resettle in South Korea, which treats North Koreans as its citizens under its Constitution. South Korea has provided humanitarian aid and a US$100 million non-lethal assistance package to Ukraine but maintains a policy of not supplying lethal weapons to active conflict zones.
Timeline
- Sept 23 – Zelenskyy announces the transfer at the UNGA.
- Sept 27 – Seoul’s Blue House demands an official explanation and apology.
- Sept 28 – South Korea summons Ukraine’s acting ambassador, Andriy Vieshkin.
- Oct 1 – Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha calls the incident a “diplomatic misunderstanding.”
- Oct 2 – President Lee threatens “additional measures” if Ukraine refuses to apologize.
- Sept 30 – The National Intelligence Service (NIS) reports that Ukraine initially requested strict confidentiality.
Data & Statistics
- Two North Korean soldiers were transferred.
- They were captured in early 2025 while serving in Russia’s Kursk region.
- North Korean deployment to Russia is estimated at 14,000-15 000 troops.
Official Statements & Responses
South Korean officials emphasized the humanitarian rationale and security concerns for secrecy. Presidential communications secretary Seong Ghi-hong said the confidentiality was meant to protect the soldiers’ families in the North. Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo lodged a formal complaint, expressing “strong regret” over the unilateral disclosure.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the matter as a “diplomatic misunderstanding” and said Kyiv was working to resolve it, stressing the importance of South Korea as a partner.
Criticism & Opposition
Domestic opposition parties have accused President Lee of covering up the transfer to appease Pyongyang. People Power Party lawmaker Jang Han-bum argued that any secrecy benefits North Korean leadership.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Seoul asserts that a non-disclosure understanding was reached through diplomatic channels, including a phone call between foreign ministers. The NIS reiterated that Ukraine “proactively requested” confidentiality to avoid jeopardising future prisoner-exchange negotiations.
Kyiv denies any binding agreement, stating that no confidentiality pact existed and that the disclosure was limited to the fact of the transfer, not its details. The precise legal basis for the transfer and whether the soldiers’ status as POWs was terminated remain unclear.
What’s Next
President Lee has indicated that South Korea may consider “additional measures” if Ukraine continues to refuse a public apology, though no specific actions have been detailed. Diplomatic channels remain open, and the two governments are expected to continue negotiations over the broader security implications of North Korean involvement in the Ukraine war.