Why did South Korea summon Ukraine’s acting ambassador over the North Korean POW transfer?

South Korea summoned Andrii Vieshkin after Kyiv publicly revealed that two North Korean POWs had been transferred to Seoul. Seoul said the disclosure violated a secrecy understanding meant to protect the former soldiers and asked Ukraine for clarification and an apology.

What did South Korea say Ukraine did wrong in the North Korean POW case?

South Korea said Ukraine breached a nondisclosure agreement by revealing the transfer publicly. Seoul argued the secrecy was needed to safeguard the soldiers from possible danger and said the move seriously harmed mutual trust.

How did Ukraine respond when South Korea demanded clarification and an apology?

The Ukrainian envoy said he would accurately report Seoul’s position back to Kyiv. The ministry also said Ukrainian media had reported a denial from a Ukrainian presidential source about any confidentiality agreement with South Korea.

Foreign ministry calls in Ukrainian envoy in response to Kyiv disclosing transfer of NK POWs

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Summary

The foreign ministry called in Andrii Vieshkin, Ukraine’s acting ambassador to South Korea, on Monday over Kyiv’s disclosure that two North Korean POWs had been transferred to Seoul. First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo conveyed Seoul’s stern stance and called for an official clarification and apology. The ministry said Ukraine’s denial of a confidentiality agreement gravely damaged mutual trust and friendly ties.

Key Facts

President Lee Jae Myung and his office said Ukraine breached a nondisclosure agreement intended to keep the transfer secret for the former soldiers’ safety.
Ukrainian media later quoted a Ukrainian presidential source denying that any confidentiality agreement with Seoul existed.
Park Yoon-joo said Ukraine’s denial gravely damaged mutual trust and affected the friendly ties between the two countries.
The foreign ministry said the Ukrainian envoy said he would accurately report Seoul’s stance back to Kyiv.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 28, 2026 9:13 pm KST

First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo speaks during a plenary session of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee in Seoul, Sept. 17. Yonhap

The foreign ministry on Monday called in Andrii Vieshkin, acting ambassador of Ukraine to South Korea, following Kyiv's revelation of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to Seoul.

First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo conveyed Seoul's stern stance on the issue to Vieshkin, the ministry said in a statement.

Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed during a United Nations address that Ukraine sent the two North Korean soldiers captured last year to South Korea.

President Lee Jae Myung and his office have since said Ukraine breached a nondisclosure agreement aimed at keeping the transfer a secret to safeguard the former soldiers from dangers they could face if their transfer were to be disclosed, citing international law and humanitarian principles.

Soon after, Ukrainian media outlets reported a Ukrainian presidential source as denying the existence of a confidentiality agreement with Seoul.

Park expressed strong concern over Ukraine's denial of the confidentiality agreement with Korea, saying such an action gravely damages mutual trust and affects the friendly ties of the two countries, the ministry said.

The vice minister called for Ukraine's official clarification and apology over its move, to which the Ukrainian envoy said he will accurately report on Seoul's stance to Kyiv, it added.

The move by the foreign ministry comes a day after Cheong Wa Dae also expressed "strong regret" over Ukraine's action.

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