South Korea Demands Ukraine Apology Over POW Disclosure

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung warned Ukraine on 2 October 2026 that Seoul expects a formal apology over the public disclosure of two North Korean prisoners of war, saying "measures" will follow if Kyiv refuses to acknowledge a confidentiality agreement.

The dispute erupted after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced during his 23 September UN General Assembly speech that two captured North Korean soldiers had been transferred to South Korea. Seoul claims the handover was supposed to remain secret and that Kyiv violated a prior agreement.

What Triggered the Diplomatic Row?

South Korea is trying to resume dialogue with North Korea, making the POW handover politically sensitive. The two soldiers were captured in Russia's Kursk region in January 2025 while fighting for Moscow. After months of consultation, Ukraine sent them to South Korea, where they are constitutionally considered citizens. The North Korean POW transfer has become a flashpoint because Pyongyang denies large-scale deployments despite Western intelligence estimates of about 15,000 troops sent since October 2024.

According to earlier reporting, one of the captured soldiers attempted suicide to avoid being taken, while another carried a Russian military ID, part of Moscow's effort to mask Pyongyang's involvement. Moscow initially denied North Korean deployments but acknowledged them in April 2025, and Kyiv has warned of 8,500 additional North Korean troops as recently as August 2026.

South Korea's Demands and Possible 'Measures'

Lee posted on X that Ukraine must apologize and recognize that a secrecy agreement existed. "This touches the honor of the Korean people and their country, so we cannot let this pass," he wrote. He did not specify what measures might follow, but Seoul has already summoned Ukraine's ambassador to protest. The dispute echoes broader tensions in Korean Peninsula diplomacy and complicates the trilateral dynamic involving Russia, North Korea, and Ukraine.

What could 'measures' include?

• Formal diplomatic protests and suspension of intelligence sharing
• Reduced cooperation on humanitarian POW transfers
• Possible economic or aid-related restrictions

South Korea's constitution treats North Koreans as its own citizens, so Seoul has pressed for guarantees on how the POWs are treated and whether they can remain in its custody. The row illustrates the friction between Kyiv's desire to publicize Pyongyang's military support for Moscow and Seoul's diplomatic sensitivities.

Kyiv Under Renewed Drone Attack

Separately, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klytschko reported on Telegram that targets in the Ukrainian capital were struck again overnight, including the southern bridge over the Dnipro River, which had already been hit by drones earlier this week. The extent of the damage remains unclear. The attack underscores the continued pressure on Ukrainian infrastructure even as the diplomatic row with Seoul unfolds, similar to Ukraine drone attacks on Kyiv reported in recent months.

FAQ

Why is South Korea demanding an apology from Ukraine?

Seoul says the two countries had a confidentiality agreement over the transfer of two North Korean POWs, and that President Zelensky's public disclosure violated it.

What did Zelensky say about the POW handover?

On 23 September 2026, Zelensky told the UN General Assembly that two North Korean prisoners captured in Kursk had been sent to South Korea.

Are North Korean soldiers considered South Korean citizens?

Yes. Under South Korea's constitution, North Koreans are treated as South Korean citizens, which is why Seoul offered asylum and sought the transfer.

What 'measures' could South Korea take?

Lee did not specify, but options could include diplomatic sanctions, reduced intelligence cooperation, or limiting future humanitarian transfers.