Ukraine announces transfer of North Korean prisoners of war, South Korea demands apology

The South Korean presidential office today asked Ukraine to provide a formal explanation and apology, saying that despite the two sides having reached a consensus on confidentiality in advance, Kyiv still unilaterally disclosed the transfer of North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea.

Reuters reported that Cheong Wa Dae said that Ukraine's later denial that there had been any confidentiality agreement was untrue and had damaged mutual trust between the two governments.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at the United Nations on the 24th: "Recently, we sent two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. It is not easy to capture these people alive."

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung posted a message on the social platform X on the 24th, expressing deep regret for this.

Yonhap News Agency reported that Lee Jae-myung pointed out that the transfer of North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea is an extremely sensitive issue and will have a major impact on diplomacy, national security and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. After comprehensively considering the various issues that may arise from disclosing the news, both parties concluded that a non-disclosure approach would be more appropriate in all aspects and reached a consensus on this. It’s unclear what Uzbekistan’s considerations were, but it deeply regrets this. (Compiled by: He Hongru) 1150928