In brief
South Korea has called in Ukraine’s acting ambassador after President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly announced the transfer of two North Korean soldiers captured in the Ukraine war. Seoul claims the move should have been secret, arguing it jeopardised national security and diplomatic trust. The soldiers, who had joined Russia’s forces, expressed a desire to surrender to South Korea. The incident has sparked criticism of Zelensky both abroad and within South Korea and raises questions about the future of inter‑Asian security arrangements.
South Korea has summoned Ukraine’s acting ambassador after President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly announced the transfer of two North Korean soldiers captured in the Ukraine conflict.
Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon‑joo lodged a formal complaint with Acting Ambassador Andrii Vieshkin, expressing “strong regret” that the transfer had been revealed to the world. Seoul insists the operation should have remained confidential, arguing that public disclosure undermines strategic security.
The two North Korean soldiers, who had joined Russian forces in the eastern regions, had earlier told local journalists they wished to be sent to South Korea. In late 2024, Ukraine reported that its forces had captured two such soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region, a fact that the two nations spent a year negotiating before the recent transfer.
President Lee Jae‑Myung called the disclosure “greatly disappointing,” noting the transfer was a “highly sensitive issue” that could damage trust. The Seoul government also highlighted that Kyiv wanted the operation kept secret to protect the soldiers’ families and to avoid accusations of abandoning a potential prisoner‑exchange deal.
Following the announcement, Ukrainian officials responded that no non‑disclosure agreement existed between the two countries, further inflaming tensions. Seoul demanded a formal apology for what it considered a “falsehood,” stressing the damage to bilateral relations.
The spat comes after South Korea’s muted stance on the Ukraine war, where it has refused to supply lethal weapons yet has offered non‑lethal aid. In July 2025, Seoul announced a $100 million assistance package to Ukraine, political fallout continues as Russia warns of retaliation if Seoul arms the nation.
