South Korea, Ukraine relations sour over North Korean POW transfer
Summary
South Korea is upset with Ukraine for sharing news about the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) without keeping it secret, as they had agreed. Ukraine denies there was any secret agreement, which has hurt trust between the two countries.Key Facts
- Ukraine transferred two North Korean POWs to South Korea after capturing them in January 2025 near Russia’s Kursk region.
- South Korea and Ukraine had agreed to keep this transfer confidential to protect the POWs under international law and humanitarian rules.
- Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy publicly mentioned the transfer at the United Nations, breaking the secrecy agreement according to South Korea.
- Ukraine denies having any non-disclosure agreement with South Korea about the POW transfer.
- South Korea says Ukraine’s denial damages trust and friendship between the two countries.
- The issue of North Korean POWs was discussed during a NATO summit meeting and a foreign ministers’ meeting earlier in 2025.
- North Korea sent 14,000 to 15,000 soldiers to support Russia in the war in Ukraine, with heavy casualties reported.
- South Korea supports restarting talks with North Korea, and President Donald Trump has signaled his willingness to engage with Pyongyang.
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