The South Korean presidential office has called on Ukraine to provide an official explanation and apology after President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that Ukraine sent two North Korean soldiers, captured as prisoners of war, to South Korea, despite a mutual agreement to keep the matter confidential. South Korea said the unilateral disclosure damages trust between the two countries.
The South Korean presidential office urged Ukraine to issue an official statement and apology following a dispute over the disclosure of information about transferring two North Korean soldiers, captured as prisoners of war in Ukraine, to South Korea. South Korea noted that both parties had agreed not to publicize the matter for the safety of the prisoners and their families.
This issue arose after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed last week during a United Nations speech that Ukraine had sent two captured North Korean soldiers from the conflict to South Korea, describing the soldiers as "not easy to capture."
Following the disclosure, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung expressed dissatisfaction on X, stating he was unaware why Ukraine violated the agreement and made the matter public, calling the action deeply disappointing.
Dmytro Lytvyn, an aide to Zelensky, sought to ease tensions by saying the Ukrainian president merely revealed the fact that the two soldiers were transferred to South Korea, emphasizing that Ukraine is an "open country" and that secretly transferring soldiers might be unusual. However, the South Korean presidential office stated this action breached trust between the two nations.
Song Ki-hong, senior secretary for public relations to the South Korean president, said the South Korean government feels "deeply regretful" about Ukraine’s unilateral disclosure of the prisoner transfer and Ukraine’s presidential office subsequent denial that any confidentiality agreement existed between the two countries.
Song stated that Ukraine’s violation of the confidentiality agreement is already serious, but denying such an agreement exists "severely undermines trust between the two governments and greatly affects friendly relations." He called for an official explanation and apology from the Ukrainian government.
South Korea noted that Ukraine had previously requested that the transfer of prisoners be kept confidential, fearing internal criticism that the government missed an opportunity to use the North Korean prisoners as bargaining chips in exchange negotiations involving Ukrainian prisoners of war.
South Korea agreed to maintain confidentiality considering the safety of the prisoners and their families, as well as diplomatic and security concerns. However, the South Korean presidential office said Zelensky revealed the transfer without prior consultation or notice to South Korea.
The two North Korean soldiers were captured by Ukraine early in 2025 after being sent to fight alongside Russian forces. One prisoner disclosed he served in a patrol unit and was conscripted at age 17, continuing military service until deployed to Russia.
Previously, South Korean lawmakers stated that the two soldiers wished to "live normal lives" in South Korea.
Professor Park Won-gun from Ewha Womans University believes Ukraine’s disclosure may worry the South Korean government that it will increase North Korea’s hostility toward South Korea. President Lee Jae-myung, who took office in June 2025, has shifted from his predecessor's stance by proposing unconditional talks with North Korea.
Park said South Korea’s leader might prefer a non-confrontational approach, mindful that North Korea could retaliate. North Korea might use the fact that its soldiers fought alongside Russia to craft heroic propaganda narratives.
This dispute could also impact South Korea’s weapons cooperation with Ukraine, as South Korea has not yet supplied weapons, citing domestic restrictions on military aid to countries at war. However, South Korea has considered defense-related arms requests, especially after North Korea sent troops to support Russia.
Im Eul-chol, a professor at Kyungnam University, said the incident "significantly affects trust" between South Korea and Ukraine. With trust damaged, the South Korean government will need to carefully reconsider arms supplies to Ukraine, whether lethal or non-lethal.
Meanwhile, the South Korean presidential office said it is considering additional measures that may be necessary in this case and called for an end to politicizing sensitive security issues. It warned that spreading unfounded information could harm national interests.