FM Cho stresses mutual respect, trust as prerequisite for bilateral ties in talks with Ukrainian minister

SEOUL, Nov. 11 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has underscored mutual respect and the faithful implementation of bilateral accords as "basic prerequisites" for the development of relations with Ukraine during talks with his Ukrainian counterpart in Paris, Seoul's foreign ministry said Wednesday.

Cho and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met on the margins of the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers' meeting in Paris on Tuesday (local time) for their first in-person talks since diplomatic tensions arose over Kyiv's disclosure in September of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to South Korea.

"While Minister Cho stressed mutual respect and trust, and the faithful implementation of bilateral agreements as basic prerequisites for the development of relations between the two countries, he expressed hope that pending issues between the countries will be smoothly resolved," the ministry said in a press release.

Cho apparently referred to Ukraine's breach of a bilateral agreement not to disclose the transfer of the North Korean POWs, for which Seoul has demanded an apology and measures to prevent a recurrence.

Sybiha called for joint diplomatic efforts to ensure the stable management and development of bilateral relations, according to the ministry.

Diplomatic friction between the two countries arose after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed the POW transfer during an address to the U.N. General Assembly in September.

In a display of its protest against Kyiv's handling of the POW issue, Seoul recalled its Ambassador to Ukraine Park Ki-chang and withdrew about half of its embassy staff last month.

During Tuesday's talks, Cho said that as a responsible member of the international community, South Korea maintains its basic stance on providing assistance to Ukraine, stressing that Seoul will continue exploring ways to offer humanitarian aid and support for the war-torn country's reconstruction.

Sybiha expressed Kyiv's appreciation for Seoul's commitment to helping Ukraine.

The two sides also exchanged views on other regional issues, including the Korean Peninsula situation, the ministry said.