South Korea Summons Ukrainian Envoy Over Disclosed North Korean POW Transfer

South Korea has summoned Ukraine's acting ambassador, Andrii Vieshkin, to lodge a formal complaint after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly revealed the transfer of two captured North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul. South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo expressed "strong regret" over the public announcement, which Seoul maintained was meant to remain confidential due to national security concerns and the safety of the soldiers' families.

The two North Korean soldiers were captured in Russia's Kursk Oblast in early 2025 while supporting Russian forces. Following over a year of negotiations between Seoul and Kyiv, the soldiers, who expressed a desire to be sent to South Korea, were transferred to Seoul. However, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the completed transfer during his speech at the UN General Assembly last Wednesday, noting that the soldiers had not been easy to capture alive.

Diplomatic Friction and Domestic Fallout

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung characterized the public disclosure as "greatly disappointing" and a highly sensitive issue affecting national security. President Lee's office stated that secrecy was necessary not only to protect the families of the North Korean soldiers but also because Kyiv wished to avoid domestic backlash for releasing prisoners who could have been exchanged for captured Ukrainians. According to Lee's office, Ukraine had indicated the soldiers would be referenced in the address, but agreed not to disclose the completed transfer.

The dispute deepened when Zelensky's office denied the existence of a non-disclosure agreement. In response, Seoul demanded an apology for what it called a falsehood and stated that Ukraine's actions severely undermined bilateral trust. Domestically, President Lee faced sharp criticism from the South Korean opposition, which accused his administration of hiding the transfer to appease Pyongyang amid his efforts to resume peace talks with North Korea.

Strained Relations and Military Assistance Demands

The diplomatic rift comes amid ongoing pressure from Kyiv for South Korea to supply lethal military equipment, such as advanced anti-air missile systems, following the deployment of thousands of North Korean troops to aid Russia in 2024. Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Zelensky, argued that South Korea must protect its security interests by aiding Ukraine against an expanding aggressive axis.

Despite these calls, South Korea maintains its policy against sending lethal weapons to active war zones. While Seoul announced a $100 million non-lethal aid package to Ukraine in July—expanding on prior provisions of medical gear, helmets, and body armor—it has refrained from supplying weaponry. Meanwhile, Moscow's foreign ministry warned it would retaliate if South Korea provided arms to Kyiv, as Seoul seeks to balance its diplomatic and commercial relations with Russia to help manage relations with North Korea.