South Korea’s president demands apology from Ukraine and warns of further measures over POW transfer dispute

Lee Jae Myung demanded a public apology from Ukraine on Friday and warned of further measures after Kyiv disclosed a secret prisoner-of-war transfer. The South Korean president posted his remarks on X.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed the transfer of two North Korean POWs during a speech at the UN General Assembly last week. The soldiers were captured fighting for Russia in the Kursk region. South Korea summoned Ukraine’s chargé d’affaires in Seoul for an explanation after the speech.

Seoul says Ukraine requested the transfer be kept secret. Kyiv says no secrecy agreement existed. Lee’s office said Ukraine requested secrecy partly to protect the North Koreans’ families and partly because Kyiv wanted to avoid criticism for giving up a POW exchange opportunity. Senior presidential secretary Seong Ghi-hong said in a statement that Ukraine had repeatedly discussed the transfer with Seoul through various channels and requested secrecy. Lee said the disclosure and subsequent denial of any agreement made him look like a liar. “As this is a matter concerning the honor of the Republic of Korea’s people and nation, we cannot overlook it,” he said in Korean, translated by Google.

‘Praying for the outbreak of war’

Lee accused Ukraine of speaking about an imminent military clash between North and South Korea, characterizing this as invoking or praying for war on the Korean Peninsula. “When we demanded acknowledgement of the agreement and an apology, they instead spoke of an imminent military clash between North and South, praying for the outbreak of war on the Korean Peninsula—we express grave regret toward Ukraine,” he said on Friday. Ukrainian presidential chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov said in an interview last week that North Korea’s participation in the Ukraine-Russia conflict was to prepare for combat on the Korean Peninsula. “The situation is escalating every day. And it is only a matter of time before a trigger event occurs that will lead to uncontrolled consequences,” Budanov said, according to a Google translation of his Telegram post in Ukrainian.

Domestic pressure and geopolitical stakes

Lee faced heavy criticism at home after Zelensky’s disclosure, with the South Korean opposition accusing him of covering up the transfer to appease Pyongyang. The National Intelligence Service reportedly told lawmakers that Zelensky could have made the announcement at the UNGA to stir support in Seoul for sending Kyiv weapons and other aid. In August, Zelensky requested South Korea provide air defense systems, something Seoul has not been supportive of even as it has offered humanitarian aid. South Korea has not provided lethal weapons to Ukraine, adhering to its longstanding policy. The row pits two US-aligned states against each other, potentially complicating US efforts to shore up a united front against Russia, China and North Korea.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the situation as a diplomatic misunderstanding on Thursday and said Ukraine was working to resolve it. “South Korea is an important country for us. And I very much hope for momentum, continued cooperation, and concrete results that we are indeed achieving with them,” he said. The two soldiers had earlier told local media they wanted to be sent to South Korea.