South Korea has accused Ukraine of breaching a confidentiality agreement regarding the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) and subsequently denying the existence of the agreement. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed disappointment over Ukraine's actions on social media, stating, "I do not know why the Ukrainian side broke the agreement and made the matter public, but it is very disappointing."
On Sunday, Seong Ghi-hong, senior presidential secretary for public relations, demanded an official explanation and apology from Ukraine. He stated, "The presidential office expresses strong regret over Ukraine's unilateral disclosure and its subsequent false announcement that there had not been a non-disclosure agreement." Seong emphasized that this situation undermines trust between the two governments and damages friendly relations. He also mentioned that Seoul is considering additional measures regarding the matter, though specifics were not provided.
The North Korean soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk region in January 2025, as part of a deployment of around 14,000 North Korean troops to assist in halting a Ukrainian incursion. Ukrainian intelligence estimates indicate that approximately 3,000 North Korean troops were killed and another 1,500 injured during the conflict, with the remainder still in Russia. Reports suggest that North Korean soldiers preferred to die by suicide rather than surrender, leading to only two being captured.
Under President Lee, South Korea has been cautious about taking custody of the captured soldiers, despite the constitutional provision that North Koreans are considered citizens of the South. South Korea has been an ally of Ukraine, providing non-lethal aid, while Ukraine has sought advanced air defense systems from Seoul. Last month, President Zelenskyy indicated that up to 50,000 additional North Korean troops could be deployed to Russia.