South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has warned of unspecified “further action” unless Ukraine publicly apologises for revealing that two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) had been transferred to South Korea.
The dispute follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s remarks at the UN General Assembly, which Seoul says disclosed information that both sides had intended to keep confidential.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the issue as a “diplomatic misunderstanding” and said Kyiv was working to resolve it.
“We are working on it. For us, South Korea is an important country. And I really hope for momentum, continuation, and concrete results that we are truly achieving with them,” he said.
Lee, in response, accused Kyiv of attempting to “bring war on the Korean Peninsula”.
“We express serious regret that, instead of acknowledging the facts of the agreement and apologising, they are talking about an imminent military clash between the North and South,” he said in an X post.
Key developments:
- Lee Jae Myung rejected Kyiv’s explanation, calling the issue one of national dignity.
- Seoul said confidentiality was requested to protect the prisoners’ families and avoid affecting potential prisoner exchanges.
- Kyiv denied any agreement to keep the transfer secret.
- The dispute highlights diplomatic strains despite South Korea’s continued support for Ukraine.
ℹ️ BBC News
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