The South Korean government, which leans left, called for a public apology from Ukraine on Sunday. This came after President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned at the United Nations General Assembly last week that his forces had captured North Korean soldiers on the battlefield and sent them to South Korea.
Officials in South Korea, including President Lee Jae-myung, labeled Zelensky’s remarks as “deeply regrettable,” asserting that both nations had previously agreed to keep the transfer confidential. South Korean representatives claimed it was Ukraine that insisted on a nondisclosure agreement, fearing political backlash in Ukraine arising from any negative sentiments towards releasing North Koreans into South Korean custody rather than using them to negotiate for the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war. Ukrainian officials have denied that any such agreement existed and, as of now, have not issued an apology.
“We express strong regret over the Ukrainian government’s unilateral disclosure in violation of the confidentiality agreement, and its subsequent false public statement denying the existence of an agreement, and demand an official explanation and apology,” stated Seong Ghi-hong, a senior presidential secretary for public relations, in a statement on Sunday. “We are also reviewing further necessary measures regarding this matter.”
Seong highlighted that the presidential office in Seoul was not only outraged by the disclosure at the General Assembly but also by the denials that followed regarding the nondisclosure agreement.
“While it is a grave issue that the Ukrainian side unilaterally disclosed information, violating a bilateral confidentiality agreement without prior consultation or even notification,” Seong noted, “it is equally serious that the Ukrainian presidential office’s press division falsely claimed no such agreement existed in response to our president’s legitimate, fact-based public remarks.”
“Such actions severely undermine trust between the two governments and inflict significant damage on our friendly relations,” the spokesperson emphasized.
Seong was referring to President Lee’s statement posted on social media on September 24, where he criticized both the Ukrainian government and certain South Korean politicians for questioning why keeping the transfer of North Korean soldiers a secret was necessary.
“The repatriation of North Korean prisoners is a highly sensitive issue with significant implications for diplomacy, national security, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula,” Lee shared. “There were undoubtedly internal calls to publicize the repatriation, as doing so would have clearly helped boost approval ratings. However, after considering the potential issues public disclosure might cause, we concluded that keeping it private was the right course of action in every respect, and we reached a consensus to do so.”
Regarding Ukraine, Lee remarked, “While I do not know the specific circumstances that led the Ukrainian side to break the agreement and go public, the situation is deeply regrettable.”
Ukrainian President Zelensky mentioned the prisoner transfers during his General Assembly address, arguing that ignoring the ongoing Russian invasion was allowing Russia to escalate the conflict and endanger more lives. He questioned why North Koreans would sacrifice themselves for a war against Ukraine, accusing Kim Jong-un of using their lives as “currency” for battlefield experience and military technology.
“Recently, we sent two North Korean prisoners of war to the Republic of Korea. These guys are not easy to capture alive,” he said. “One of them, when he realized he was going to be taken prisoner, tried to kill himself. And he was shocked that fate didn’t let him die. This is how they raise people in the North. It’s reality.”
“They take away their freedom. They take away their right to choose. And they drill into them that they must die, no matter what. Do you really want to give such a force more time to learn how to wage war? This has already been going on for five years,” he continued.
Lee’s administration notably warned in its statement on Sunday that it was contemplating “additional measures” against Ukraine in light of the disclosure. What these “measures” might entail remains unclear. On Monday, the South Korean Foreign Ministry summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Andrii Vieshkin to convey an official complaint. Details of the discussions held at the Foreign Ministry have not been disclosed.
Reports indicated that the identities of the transferred North Koreans have yet to be revealed, but they are believed to be “staying at the North Korean Refugee Protection Center in Siheung, Gyeonggi,” a facility aimed at processing North Korean defectors to ensure they aren’t spies and support their transition from life in the oppressive regime. Sources have informed that the men are “in good health” but require medical attention for their injuries from the battlefield.
In January 2025, Zelensky shared videos claiming to show two North Korean soldiers captured by his forces while fighting for Russia.
“Ukraine is ready to hand over Kim Jong Un’s soldiers to him if he can organize their exchange for our warriors who are being held captive in Russia,” he stated back then. “For those North Korean soldiers who do not wish to return, there may be other options available. In particular, those who express a desire to bring peace closer by spreading the truth about this war in Korean will be given that opportunity.”
