OMM Redaksiyası
South Korea said Tuesday that Ukraine’s apology over the disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war did not meet Seoul’s expectations, Yonhap News Agency reported.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told lawmakers he had remained in contact with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who sent messages that included an apology. Cho said the response fell short of what Seoul expected and that South Korea planned to take firm measures.
Among the options under consideration is recalling South Korean Ambassador to Ukraine Park Hee-chang, Cho said.
The dispute began after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed last month that two North Korean soldiers captured while fighting alongside Russian forces had been transferred to South Korea. Seoul said the countries had agreed to keep the transfer confidential to protect the soldiers and their families in North Korea, and that Kyiv had initially requested secrecy. Ukraine later denied that such an agreement had been reached.
Sybiha had previously called the issue a “diplomatic misunderstanding” and said he hoped it would be resolved soon.
South Korean officials said the soldiers were captured in Russia’s Kursk region in January 2025 while fighting for Russia and arrived in South Korea in mid-September. Seoul and Kyiv had earlier discussed arranging any transfer in line with international law and humanitarian principles and respecting the soldiers’ wishes.
