Kyiv:Seoul South Korea has announced a partial withdrawal of its diplomatic personnel from Ukraine due to an ongoing dispute over the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to Seoul and the continuous threat of airstrikes across Ukraine, as confirmed by the foreign ministry.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the decision was made because Ukraine has not taken "positive steps" to resolve the diplomatic tension concerning Kyiv's unilateral disclosure of the North Korean POWs' transfer. The ministry spokesperson, Park Doo-soon, highlighted both the diplomatic dispute and persistent Russian airstrikes as reasons for the withdrawal.
Despite this reduction in staff, South Korea plans to maintain necessary diplomatic communications through its charge d'affaires. All consular personnel will remain to ensure the protection of South Korean nationals. Additionally, South Korea has demanded an explanation, apology, and assurances against future occurrences following the public disclosure by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which was followed by a denial from his office about any confidentiality agreement.
Kyiv has not yet formally responded to Seoul's demands, leading to the recall of the South Korean ambassador to Ukraine, Park Ki-chang, earlier this month. The South Korean government continues to seek an "amicable resolution" through ongoing communications with Ukraine. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun indicated that there had been an initial agreement to keep the matter confidential, and despite receiving an apology from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, it was deemed insufficient by Seoul.
Meanwhile, the South Korean Embassy will continue to provide safety updates and assistance to South Koreans in Ukraine. The exact number of staff to be withdrawn remains undisclosed, but approximately half are expected to leave. The embassy is also coordinating with South Korean nationals in Ukraine regarding potential evacuation plans.
With a Level 4 travel advisory still in place, reflecting the heightened threat of missile and drone attacks, South Korean authorities are urging nationals to evacuate. The recent escalation includes Russia launching 16 ballistic missiles and over 200 drones, severely impacting Ukraine's energy infrastructure and leaving many without power.