South Korea Seeks Apology From Ukraine Over North Korean POW Disclosure
News Date: September 28, 2026
South Korea has demanded an official explanation and apology from Ukraine after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly revealed the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea.
The dispute centers on whether Seoul and Kyiv had agreed to keep the transfer confidential. South Korea says Ukraine had requested that the operation remain undisclosed because of security, humanitarian and diplomatic concerns.
Zelenskyy Reveals Transfer at UN
The issue came to public attention after Zelenskyy announced during his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York that Ukraine had recently sent two North Korean soldiers to South Korea.
The soldiers had previously been captured by Ukrainian forces after being deployed to Russia's Kursk region. South Korean officials have said the two men were transferred to the country after consultations between Seoul and Kyiv.
Seoul Says Confidentiality Agreement Was Broken
South Korea's presidential office says Ukraine had requested confidentiality during discussions over the transfer. Seoul agreed, citing the safety of the prisoners and their families, as well as wider diplomatic and security considerations.
On Sunday, South Korean senior presidential secretary Seong Ghi-hong said the government strongly regretted what it described as Ukraine's unilateral disclosure of the transfer. Seoul also objected to subsequent Ukrainian statements denying that a confidentiality agreement existed.
The South Korean government said it is considering additional measures if necessary and has requested an official explanation and apology from Kyiv.
Ukraine Disputes Seoul's Account
Ukraine's position differs from South Korea's account. Ukrainian officials have indicated that the transfer was carried out through direct discussions with Seoul, while a Ukrainian presidential source has denied that a confidentiality agreement existed.
That disagreement has turned what was initially a humanitarian transfer into a diplomatic dispute between the two countries.
Why the Two POWs Matter
The two North Korean soldiers were captured after North Korean troops were deployed to Russia's Kursk region in support of Moscow. South Korean authorities have previously said the prisoners expressed a desire to come to South Korea.
The handling of North Korean soldiers captured in Russia's war against Ukraine has been a sensitive issue for Seoul because of the potential consequences for the prisoners, their families and wider relations involving North Korea.
Diplomatic Relations Under Pressure
South Korea's latest demand highlights a disagreement over how sensitive information involving prisoners of war should be handled.
Seoul says maintaining confidentiality was important for humanitarian and security reasons, while Kyiv has maintained that it disclosed the transfer as a matter of fact. The dispute could now require further diplomatic discussions between the two governments.
For now, South Korea is seeking an explanation and apology from Ukraine, while the two sides remain at odds over whether a formal nondisclosure understanding existed.
Source: Yonhap News Agency, Reuters reporting and other international reports, September 27–28, 2026.