What happened
A South Korean lawmaker claims that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's announcement of the repatriation of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea was likely a ploy to get more support from Seoul.
According to the South Korean intelligence agency, Zelenskyy's motivation was to gain public support for Ukraine, potentially leading to South Korea providing various forms of support, including weapons.
The revelation sparked an outcry in Seoul, with the South Korean government demanding a formal apology from Ukraine, which has not been forthcoming.
South Korea and Ukraine had agreed to keep the repatriation private, but Zelenskyy announced it publicly at the U.N. General Assembly, breaching the agreement.
The incident has led to diplomatic fallout between the two countries, with South Korea summoning Ukraine's acting ambassador to demand an official explanation and apology.
The two North Korean soldiers, who were captured by Ukraine in January 2025, have arrived in South Korea and are reportedly in good health.
