A diplomatic issue has arisen between Ukraine and South Korea regarding the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war. During a speech at the UN General Assembly on September 23, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine had sent the prisoners to South Korea, where they had expressed a desire to resettle. The prisoners were captured by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region in January 2025.
In response, South Korea's Foreign Ministry summoned Ukraine's ambassador, Andrii Vieshkin, demanding an explanation for what it termed Kyiv's "unilateral disclosure" of the transfer, which was allegedly against a prior agreement to maintain confidentiality. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung emphasized that the transfer was a sensitive issue with significant implications for diplomacy and national security on the Korean Peninsula.
Dmytro Lytvyn, Zelenskyy's spokesperson, asserted that no confidentiality agreement existed, stating it was inappropriate to keep the transfer secret. South Korean presidential spokesperson Kim Sung-wan countered that Ukraine had requested confidentiality due to concerns about domestic criticism regarding the prisoners' transfer without a swap for Ukrainian prisoners held in Russia. Kim noted that South Korea had agreed to the confidentiality for diplomatic reasons and to protect the prisoners and their families in North Korea.
Nataliya Butyrska, an Asia-Pacific expert, commented on the lack of trust between Ukraine and South Korea, suggesting that both countries should be natural partners. The prisoner transfer has generated significant debate in South Korean media, particularly because North Koreans are regarded as citizens of South Korea under its constitution. The situation has also been leveraged by opposition lawmakers, while President Lee has sought to ease tensions with North Korea.
Butyrska indicated that the prisoners could have been used to improve relations between Kyiv and Seoul, but the current sentiment in South Korea is not favorable towards Ukraine. She also noted that Russia had expressed interest in the return of the two North Koreans, complicating the situation further.
Mykola Polishchuk, a Korea expert, suggested that the diplomatic crisis is linked to domestic conflicts in South Korea, with opposition figures questioning President Lee's decision to keep the transfer secret. He believes that the incident was bound to become public eventually and that the narrative of Ukraine requesting secrecy is a way for South Korean politicians to deflect blame.
Shim Sangmin from the Asan Institute for Policy Studies remarked that while South Korea has long sought the transfer of the prisoners, the current government is attempting to reconcile with North Korea, which could hinder communication efforts between the two Koreas. He noted that the Lee administration appears more inclined to reestablish ties with Russia than to continue military cooperation with Ukraine.
Butyrska expressed concern that the recent developments may lead to a further cooling of relations between Kyiv and Seoul, suggesting that Ukraine might have benefited from a more discreet approach. She indicated that while military cooperation is unlikely, trade and humanitarian assistance may continue, as South Korea is expected to maintain its commitments to the United States.