South Korea has asked Ukraine to officially apologize for the alleged violation of a confidential agreement regarding the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul. This request was made after Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, announced this transfer during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, stating that these soldiers "did not come back alive easily."
South Korea's Reaction to Ukraine's Announcement
Hours after Zelensky's announcement, Lee Jae-myung, the President of South Korea, wrote on social media: "I do not understand why the Ukrainian side violated the agreement and made this public, but it is very disappointing." This remark reflects the tension in the relations between the two countries.
On Sunday, Song Ki-hun, the Chief Secretary for Public Relations of the South Korean Presidency, officially called for "explanations and an official apology" from Ukraine. He stated: "The Presidential Office strongly regrets Ukraine's unilateral disclosure and subsequent incorrect announcement regarding the non-existence of a confidential agreement."
Consequences of the Agreement Violation
Song added: "This is a very serious issue that has severely undermined trust between the two governments and significantly damaged the friendly relations between the two countries." He also noted that Seoul is considering additional actions in this regard, but did not provide details about these actions.
Two North Korean soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region of Russia in January 2025. These two were among about 14,000 North Korean soldiers who were stationed in the area to help stop and retreat from a surprise Ukrainian attack. Ukrainian intelligence estimates suggest that around 3,000 North Korean soldiers were killed and another 1,500 were injured, with the remainder still stationed in Russian territory.
According to reports, North Korean soldiers who were trapped or injured on the battlefield preferred to commit suicide rather than surrender, and only two of them were captured. South Korea, under President Lee, who has sought to improve relations with the North, appears hesitant about the surrender of these two prisoners. However, under Article 3 of the South Korean Constitution, North Koreans are still considered citizens of South Korea and are allowed to live in South Korea.
South Korea is an ally of Ukraine, although it has only provided non-lethal aid so far. However, Kyiv has pressured Seoul to provide advanced air defense systems. Last month, Zelensky claimed that up to 50,000 more North Korean soldiers might be sent to Russia.
