Seoul:The South Korean presidential office has expressed strong regret over Ukraine's denial of a nondisclosure agreement regarding the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to South Korea.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Seong Ghi-hong, senior presidential secretary for public relations, stated that Ukraine's unilateral disclosure and subsequent denial of the agreement had led to this expression of regret. The South Korean government is contemplating further measures in response to the situation.
Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed at the United Nations that Ukraine had transferred the two North Korean soldiers, captured the previous year, to South Korea. In response, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and his office accused Ukraine of breaching a nondisclosure agreement intended to protect the soldiers by keeping the transfer confidential, citing concerns of international law and humanitarian principles.
Ukrainian media later reported a denial from a Ukrainian presidential source, claiming no such confidentiality agreement with Seoul existed. South Korea criticized this denial, asserting it hampers bilateral trust and disrupts the friendship between the two nations.
Seoul also noted that Ukraine had initially requested confidentiality to avoid domestic criticism for not using the POWs in a potential exchange for Ukrainian prisoners. South Korea agreed to this confidentiality to ensure the safety of the POWs and their families, as well as to consider other diplomatic and security concerns. The South Korean presidential office expressed particular disappointment that Zelenskyy had disclosed the transfer without prior consultation or explanation.
Seong also conveyed deep regret over certain domestic individuals who have politicized the issue in favor of Ukraine, claiming that such actions damage national interests and urged an end to the spread of false information.