Why South Korea is demanding an apology from Ukraine over North Korean PoWs

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   South Korea Demands Ukraine Apology Over North Korean POW Disclosure

   South Korea is demanding an apology from Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly revealed the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul. The South Korean presidential office accuses Kyiv of violating a confidential nondisclosure agreement intended to keep the handover secret. President Lee Jae Myung expressed disappointment on X, questioning why Ukraine broke the agreement. In response to the dispute, South Korea has summoned the Ukrainian envoy as diplomatic relations between the two nations sour.

   Why it matters

   The dispute centers on the handling of North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine. The transfer of these prisoners involves sensitive diplomatic arrangements between Seoul and Kyiv. The public nature of the disclosure has created a diplomatic crisis regarding the breach of secrecy pacts.

   What is confirmed

   • Ukraine sent two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea.
   • President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed the transfer of the prisoners during a speech to the United Nations.
   • South Korea's presidential office has demanded an apology from Ukraine for revealing the transfer.
   • President Lee Jae Myung stated on X that he does not know why Ukraine broke the agreement and called the action very disappointing.
   • South Korea summoned the Ukrainian envoy over the prisoner-of-war dispute.

   Still unconfirmed

   • South Korea made no military aid pledge to Ukraine in exchange for the transfer of the North Koreans.

   What to watch next

   • Ukraine's formal response to the demand for an apology
   • The outcome of the meeting between the South Korean government and the Ukrainian envoy
   Sources used for this update (37)

   1. AP News — Zelenskyy says Ukraine sent 2 North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea
   2. english.aawsat.com — South Korea Demands Ukraine Apology Over Denial of Confidential Deal on North's POWs
   3. CNN — South Korea demands apology from Ukraine over disclosure of North Korean POW transfer
   4. Bloomberg — Seoul Demands Ukraine Apology Over North Korea POW Disclosure
   5. Reuters — Explainer: What comes next for North Korea soldiers transferred from Ukraine to South Korea?
   6. ft.com — Seoul accuses Ukraine of violating secrecy pact on North Korean soldiers
   7. AP News — Seoul demands an apology after Zelenskyy unilaterally reveals North Korean prisoners of war transfer
   8. Al Jazeera — Why South Korea is demanding an apology from Ukraine over North Korean PoWs
   9. WSJ — A Secretive North Korean POW Handover Becomes Public—and Controversial
   10. www.aljazeera.com — Why South Korea is demanding an apology from Ukraine over North Korean PoWs
   11. bbc.com — Seoul summons Ukraine envoy over North Korean prisoner-of-war row
   12. dw.com — Ukraine, South Korea relations sour over North Korean POWs
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