South Korea summons Ukrainian envoy amid North Korean prisoner‑of‑war dispute

South Korea has formally summoned Ukraine’s acting ambassador after President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly announced that two captured North Korean soldiers were being transferred to Seoul. The disclosure, which Seoul says was meant to remain confidential, sparked a diplomatic row between the two allies.

Background to the transfer

In early 2025, Ukrainian forces captured two North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian troops in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. After more than a year of negotiations between Seoul and Kyiv, the prisoners were moved to South Korea. The soldiers had previously told local media they wanted to be sent to South Korea.

The summons

Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon‑joo lodged a formal complaint with Acting Ambassador Andrii Vieshkin, expressing “strong regret” that Zelensky revealed the transfer at the United Nations General Assembly. Seoul said the announcement violated a secret‑keeping agreement intended to protect the prisoners’ families and to avoid criticism over a potential exchange for Ukrainian prisoners of war.

Reactions in Seoul and Kyiv

President Lee Jae Myung described Zelensky’s disclosure as “greatly disappointing” and a “highly sensitive issue” for national security. The South Korean government demanded an apology, alleging that the announcement “seriously damaged trust” between the two nations. Kyiv’s response was that no non‑disclosure agreement existed, countering Seoul’s claim.

Wider implications

South Korea has maintained a sympathetic stance toward Ukraine since Russia’s invasion, providing a $100 million assistance package that includes non‑lethal aid such as helmets, personal armour, and medical equipment. However, Seoul continues to refrain from supplying lethal weapons, citing its longstanding policy of not providing arms to any party in an active war.

Russia’s foreign ministry warned of possible retaliation if South Korea were to supply lethal weapons to Ukraine, underscoring the delicate balance Seoul seeks to maintain in its relations with both Moscow and Washington.

Key points

• Two North Korean POWs were transferred from Ukraine to South Korea.
• South Korea summoned Ukraine’s acting ambassador over the public disclosure.
• President Lee Jae Myung called the announcement a breach of a secret agreement.
• Ukraine denied a non‑disclosure pact, leading to a diplomatic spat.
• South Korea’s aid to Ukraine remains non‑lethal, despite pressure to provide advanced anti‑air missiles.