South Korea Seeks Apology from Ukraine Over North Korean Soldiers’ Disclosure

In a developing diplomatic situation, South Korea is requesting an apology from Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke about the capture of North Korean soldiers who were fighting alongside Russian forces.

During his recent address to the United Nations General Assembly, Zelensky disclosed that Ukraine transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea in January 2025. This announcement has sparked outrage in Seoul.

“The presidential office expresses strong regret over Ukraine’s unilateral disclosure and its subsequent false announcement regarding the existence of a non-disclosure agreement,” said Seong Ghi-hong, spokesperson for South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, on Sunday.

It’s estimated that between 15,000 and 20,000 North Korean troops have been sent to assist Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military efforts.

Zelensky noted the extreme difficulty in capturing North Korean soldiers alive, recalling, “One of them, when he realized he was going to be taken prisoner, tried to kill himself. He was shocked that fate didn’t let him die.” This remark was made during his speech on September 23.

He expressed bewilderment over why North Koreans would fight in a war against Ukraine, suggesting that Kim Jong Un treats them like pawns, receiving benefits from Russia in exchange for their military support.

President Lee, who is attempting to negotiate a deal with North Korea regarding its nuclear arsenal in return for easing sanctions, criticized Zelensky’s announcement as well.

“The matter of repatriating North Korean prisoners of war is a delicate issue that greatly affects diplomacy, national security, and the broader situation on the Korean Peninsula,” he shared on social media, according to a translation.

Lee chastised Zelensky for publicizing the repatriation in a manner he felt disregarded the fragile state of inter-Korean relations.

“I’m not sure why Ukraine chose to disclose this information, disregarding our non-disclosure agreement, but it’s quite regrettable,” he added.

South Korea has previously urged Ukraine not to return the North Korean soldiers to their home nation, understanding the severe repercussions they would face for being captured alive.

Zelensky has also claimed that Russia is looking to bring in an additional 30,000 North Korean troops to bolster its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which has persisted for over four years.

Since the armistice in 1953 that ended the Korean War, more than 34,000 North Koreans have defected to the south.