Seoul expresses “strong regret” over Ukraine's POW disclosure
Seoul expresses strong regret after Ukraine denies existence of a nondisclosure agreement regarding North Korean POWs.
In a significant diplomatic rift, South Korea has expressed strong regret following Ukraine's denial of a purported nondisclosure agreement regarding the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs). The South Korean presidential office stated that Ukraine's unilateral disclosure and subsequent claims that no such confidentiality agreement existed have caused serious disruptions to the friendship between the two nations.
A Breach of Trust and Confidentiality
The controversy erupted following comments made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his address at the United Nations General Assembly. During the speech, Zelenskyy revealed that two North Korean soldiers had been sent to the Republic of Korea. This disclosure directly contradicts what Seoul describes as a mutual agreement intended to protect the soldiers and their families.
According to Seong Ghi-hong, the senior presidential secretary for public relations, the South Korean government had agreed to confidentiality based on several critical factors:
- Safety of the POWs: To ensure the physical security of the soldiers involved.
- Family Protection: To prevent repercussions for the soldiers' families.
- Diplomatic and Security Considerations: To manage the sensitive geopolitical implications of the transfer.
Seoul maintains that the agreement was designed to safeguard the soldiers by keeping the transfer secret, and they have labeled Ukraine's denial of this pact as "false."
The Kursk Region Capture
The two North Korean soldiers were reportedly captured in Russia’s Kursk region in early 2025 while deployed to support Russian forces. Following the capture, Ukraine and South Korea had engaged in discussions to handle the transfer in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles. President Lee Jae Myung and President Zelenskyy had reportedly reached an understanding in July to manage the situation while respecting the wishes of the soldiers.
Zelenskyy’s UNGA Remarks
During his speech at the UN General Assembly, Zelenskyy highlighted the harrowing nature of the capture, noting that one soldier had attempted to take his own life upon realizing he was being taken prisoner. He used the incident to criticize the North Korean regime, claiming that Kim Jong Un "uses them like currency" to gain benefits such as improved ballistic missile and drone capabilities from Russia.
Zelenskyy further remarked that North Korean forces have suffered "heavy losses" while being sent to bolster "weak points of the Russian army."
Potential Diplomatic Fallout
The South Korean presidential office expressed deep concern that Ukraine's actions "seriously hamper" bilateral trust. Seoul suggested that the disclosure may have been driven by a desire to avoid domestic criticism regarding the potential exchange of Ukrainian POWs for North Korean soldiers.
As the tension rises, the South Korean government has indicated it is considering additional measures if necessary to address this breach of trust. Furthermore, Seoul has called for an end to the spread of unfounded falsehoods and criticized domestic actors for politicizing this sensitive security issue in favor of Ukraine.