Why did South Korea withdraw diplomatic personnel from Ukraine?

Cho said the withdrawal was unavoidable because Ukraine had not adequately addressed the dispute over the public disclosure of the two North Korean POWs. South Korea had also cited persistent threats of Russian airstrikes when deciding to withdraw some embassy personnel.

What did South Korea ask Ukraine to do over the disclosure of the North Korean POW transfer?

Seoul sought an official explanation, an apology and assurances that the disclosure would not happen again. South Korea said the transfer had been agreed to remain secret to protect the soldiers and their families, who remain in North Korea; Kyiv denied that there had been an agreement to keep it confidential.

Could the South Korea-Ukraine dispute threaten diplomatic relations, and what support is Seoul continuing?

Cho said the dispute could reach a point that threatens diplomatic relations if tensions continue to escalate. He said South Korea’s broader support for Ukraine remained unchanged, including participation in reconstruction conferences, humanitarian assistance and international efforts aimed at ending the war.

S. Korea withdraws 8 diplomatic personnel from Ukraine: FM Cho

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Summary

South Korea withdrew eight diplomatic personnel from Ukraine amid a dispute over Kyiv’s disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Tuesday during a parliamentary audit in Seoul. Cho said he continued communicating with Ukraine’s foreign minister to resolve the dispute, while essential personnel remained in Ukraine to protect South Korean nationals. He warned that continued escalation could threaten diplomatic relations, but said South Korea’s broader support for Ukraine remained unchanged.

Key Facts

South Korea has demanded an official explanation, an apology and assurances against a recurrence of the disclosure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed the transfer during an address to the U.N. General Assembly in September, and his office later denied that Kyiv had agreed to keep it confidential.
South Korea recalled Ambassador Park Ki-chang earlier in October and cited persistent threats of Russian airstrikes as well as Ukraine’s failure to address the dispute when withdrawing embassy personnel.
Cho said South Korea continued participating in Ukraine reconstruction conferences, providing humanitarian assistance and taking part in international efforts to end the war.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 27, 2026 4:54 pm KST

A screenshot from MBC’s investigative program 'PD Note' shows two North Korean soldiers captured as prisoners of war in Ukraine. Screenshot from MBC's 'PD Note' — A screenshot from MBC’s investigative program "PD Note" shows two North Korean soldiers captured as prisoners of war in Ukraine. Screenshot from MBC's "PD Note"

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Tuesday that South Korea has withdrawn eight diplomatic personnel from Ukraine amid a dispute over Kyiv's disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs).

Cho made the remarks during a parliamentary audit of the foreign ministry, saying that despite the partial withdrawal, he has continued communication with the Ukraine foreign minister to resolve the issue.

South Korea recalled its ambassador to Ukraine, Park Ki-chang, earlier this month and decided to withdraw some embassy personnel, citing Kyiv's failure to take steps to resolve the dispute and persistent threats of Russian airstrikes.

"Eight have been withdrawn so far," Cho said, adding that the withdrawal had been unavoidable given Ukraine's failure to adequately address the issue.

South Korea has demanded an official explanation, an apology and assurances against a recurrence after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly disclosed the transfer of two North Korean soldiers to South Korea during an address to the U.N. General Assembly in September.

His office then denied that there had been an agreement to keep the matter confidential, though Seoul has said the two sides agreed from the outset to keep the transfer secret to protect the soldiers and their families, who remain in North Korea.

Despite the withdrawal, Cho said essential personnel remained in Ukraine and were doing their utmost to protect South Korean nationals amid continued Russian attacks.

Asked whether the dispute could escalate to a level that would threaten diplomatic relations with Kyiv, Cho said it could reach that point if tensions continued to escalate.

"I have continued communicating with the Ukrainian foreign minister to resolve the issue as soon as possible," he said.

The minister also stressed that South Korea's broader support for Ukraine remained unchanged, saying Seoul continued to participate in Ukraine reconstruction conferences, provide humanitarian assistance and take part in international efforts aimed at ending the war.

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