What happened
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has threatened to take additional measures against Ukraine unless it apologizes for disclosing the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war. The president claims that Ukraine broke a secrecy agreement and denied the pact, making him appear to be a liar.
According to President Lee, Ukraine had demanded confidentiality on the repatriation and both sides agreed to it. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed the transfer at the U.N. General Assembly, prompting Seoul to express regret and demand an apology.
A senior South Korean official stated that there are written documents proving the agreement to keep the transfer secret. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the episode as a diplomatic misunderstanding and expressed hope for a resolution.
The dispute began when Ukraine captured the two North Koreans in Russia's Kursk region in January 2025 and later sent them to South Korea. President Lee has labeled the revelation about the prisoners' transfer as cruel and irresponsible.
