South Korea Demands Apologies After Ukraine Revealed North Korean…
Seoul demanded apologies from Kyiv for the disclosure of data on prisoners. The South Korean presidential administration requested official explanations and apologies from Ukraine regarding the revelation of information about the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul.
Consensus
- Two North Korean soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces in Kursk Oblast in January 2025.
- Ukraine transferred the two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea.
- President Zelensky disclosed the transfer during a speech at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2025.
- South Korea demanded official explanations and apologies from Ukraine.
- South Korea stated that the transfer was agreed upon under confidentiality.
- South Korea expressed concern over the safety of the prisoners and their families in North Korea.
- The incident damaged trust between Ukraine and South Korea.
- South Korea emphasized that North Koreans are considered citizens under its constitution.
- Ukraine denied having a formal agreement to keep the transfer secret.
- South Korea claimed Ukraine had requested confidentiality due to domestic political concerns.
Points of divergence
- South Korea will now adopt a passive policy toward supporting Ukraine. — vesti
- One of the North Korean soldiers attempted suicide after capture. — vm
- Ukraine claimed that South Korea had initiated discussions about the transfer and that Ukraine had not agreed to secrecy. — novaya_eu
- Ukraine's administration claimed that the agreement on confidentiality was not real, and that Zelensky's statement was truthful. — tg_radiosvoboda
- Zelensky previously published a video of the two North Korean soldiers in January 2025. — meduza
Coverage (20 sources)
- Political scientist Svetov: Zelensky betrayed South Korea — Вести
- In Seoul, trust in Kyiv ended after Zelensky's statement on DPRK POWs — Вести
- South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Ukrainian ambassador over Zelensky's statements on North Korean captives — Вечерняя Москва
- South Korea demanded explanations and apologies from Zelenskyy, who boasted about handing over DPRK prisoners to Koreans at the UN —… — Mash
- South Korea demands Ukraine apologize after publication of data on transfer of North Korean soldiers to Seoul — Новая газета Европа
- In Seoul, Ukraine is expected to apologize for revealing information about prisoners from North Korea — Коммерсантъ
- Seoul demanded apologies from Kyiv for revealing data on POWs — Радио Свобода
- Kyiv urged to apologize for statement on prisoners from DPRK — Вести
- South Korea says Ukraine revealed secret transfer of two North Korean POWs. Seoul demands apologies from Kyiv — Meduza
- South Korea accuses Ukraine of revealing secret transfer of two North Korean POWs to Seoul and demands apology — Дождь (Telegram)
- South Korean presidential administration demanded explanations and apologies from Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of leaking information... — BBC News Русская служба
- President of South Korea accused Zelensky of revealing secrets about transfer of two North Korean POWs President of South Korea... — ASTRA
- South Korea demands apologies from Ukraine over data on North Korean POWs — Коммерсантъ
- President of South Korea criticized Zelensky for message on handing over North Korean prisoners — DW Главное
- President of South Korea Lee Jae Myeong sharply criticized Ukraine after President Vladimir Zelensky publicly... — Радио Свобода
- President of South Korea accused Zelensky of leaking data on North Korean POWs — Коммерсантъ
- Korean expert speculated on what will happen for Zelensky with the scandal with Seoul — Вести
- Zelensky leaked a secret South Korean operation. From the UN podium he "showed off" the handover to Seoul of two DPRK prisoners. Post... — Mash
- South Korea accuses Ukraine of disclosing confidential information during prisoner transfer. In Kyiv responded that they did not... — ЭХО / Новости
- President of South Korea criticized Zelensky for revealing data on DPRK POWs — Вечерняя Москва
Key entities
- South Korea
- Seoul
- Ukraine
- Zelenskyy
- Kyiv
- DPR
- Li Zhenmen
- UN
- Moscow
- General Assembly
- Reuters
- MID
- Ukrainian Armed Forces
- IT 'News'
- Yuriy Svetov
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