Seoul:South Korea has received an apology from Ukraine regarding the disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to Seoul. However, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated on Tuesday that the apology did not meet Seoul's expectations.
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea demanded an official explanation and apology after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly disclosed the transfer last month. His office later denied any agreement to keep the matter confidential. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun reported continuous contact with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who acknowledged the complexity of the situation.
Minister Cho mentioned that he received messages from Sybiha that included an apology, but noted the apology did not align with the level expected by Seoul. In response, South Korea is considering various measures, including possibly recalling its ambassador to Ukraine, Park Hee-chang, as suggested by a lawmaker.
Cho emphasized that there was an agreement to keep the transfer confidential to protect the soldiers and their families still in North Korea. He pointed out that Ukraine initially requested the matter remain private. Following Seoul's demands, Sybiha described the situation as a "diplomatic misunderstanding" and hoped for a swift resolution.
The two North Korean soldiers were captured in January 2025 while fighting for Russia in the Kursk region and arrived in South Korea in mid-September, as stated by South Korean officials. When asked about Zelenskyy's disclosure, Cho speculated it might have been intended to show the United Nations that Ukraine acted appropriately as a liberal democracy.
South Korea continues to seek resolution through diplomatic means while highlighting the significance of maintaining its relationship with Ukraine.