South Korea says it received 'insufficient' apology from Ukraine over North Korean POWs, mulls envoy recall

Live updates

1. 42m ago

   S. Korea Recalls Envoy From Ukraine Over POW Row

   South Korea has recalled its ambassador to Ukraine following a diplomatic dispute over the public disclosure of two North Korean prisoners of war transferred to Seoul. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated that an apology received from Kyiv fell short of expectations and breached a confidentiality agreement. Although Seoul rejected the response as insufficient and warned of firm measures, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi denied that an apology was ever issued, attributing the friction to differing interpretations of confidentiality arrangements.

   Why it matters

   The diplomatic rift began following a United Nations General Assembly speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on September 23. South Korea's anger may be driven by broader worries regarding its diplomatic ties to North Korea. The recall of the ambassador marks a sharp escalation in bilateral tensions.

   What is confirmed

   • South Korea recalled its ambassador to Ukraine over the disclosure of North Korean prisoners of war.
   • South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated that an apology from Ukraine fell short of expectations.
   • Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi denied that Kyiv apologized, blaming differing interpretations of confidentiality arrangements.

   What to watch next

   • Further diplomatic statements or actions between Seoul and Kyiv regarding the confidentiality dispute
   • Potential changes in bilateral relations or security cooperation
   Sources used for this update (28)

   1. kyivindependent.com — NEWS FEED - The Kyiv Independent
   2. BBC — Seoul warns 'further action' if Ukraine does not apologise over prisoner-of-war row
   3. Euronews.com — Seoul warns of 'further measures' if Kyiv refuses public apology
   4. AP News — Seoul’s anger with Kyiv over POWs may be driven by worries about its ties to North Korea
   5. The Kyiv Independent — South Korea says it received 'insufficient' apology from Ukraine over North Korean POWs, mulls envoy recall
   6. The Korea Times — Lee's growing social media use leads to another diplomatic dispute
   7. The Korea Times — [COVER STORY] Ukraine's apology over NK POWs falls short of Korea's expectation: foreign minister
   8. Yonhap News Agency — Ukraine offers 'insufficient' apology over N. Korean POW disclosure: foreign minister
   9. Meduza — Ukraine apologizes for revealing North Korean POWs’ transfer to South Korea. Seoul says apology isn’t enough, vows ‘firm measures.’
   10. en.yna.co.kr — Ukraine offers 'insufficient' apology over N. Korean POW disclosure: foreign minister | Yonhap News Agenc....
   11. www.kyivpost.com — South Korea May Recall Ambassador Over Zelensky’s North ...
   12. kyivindependent.com — South Korea says it received 'insufficient' apology from Ukraine over North Korean POWs, mulls envoy reca....
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