Korea decides to recall ambassador to Ukraine over NK POW dispute
Summary
South Korea will recall its ambassador to Ukraine after diplomatic friction over Kyiv’s disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul. The dispute began when Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed the transfer during a U.N. General Assembly speech in New York on Sept. 23. Seoul says Ukraine violated a confidentiality agreement, while Kyiv denies that such an agreement existed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said consultations will continue to resolve outstanding issues amicably.
Key Facts
- The recalled envoy is Ambassador Park Ki-chang, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- The North Korean soldiers were captured while fighting for Russia in Ukraine in 2025.
- President Lee Jae Myung demanded an explanation and apology after Kyiv denied the existence of a confidentiality agreement on Sept. 27.
- Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told lawmakers that an apology message from his Ukrainian counterpart fell short of Seoul’s expectations.
- Ukraine’s ambassadorial post in South Korea has been vacant since September 2025.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivers a speech during the 81st session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Sept. 23. Yonhap
Korea said Thursday it will recall its ambassador to Ukraine — one of the options it had been considering as a protest against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POW) to South Korea.
"The government decided to recall the ambassador to Ukraine," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, referring to Ambassador Park Ki-chang.
“The government hopes that all outstanding issues between the two countries will be resolved amicably and will continue consultations with Ukraine to that end.”
The decision came after more than two weeks of diplomatic friction between the two nations, triggered by Zelenskyy’s public disclosure of the POW transfer during a U.N. General Assembly speech in New York on Sept. 23. The North Korean soldiers were captured while fighting for Russia in Ukraine in 2025.
President Lee Jae Myung expressed disappointment on X (formerly Twitter) the following day, saying Ukraine had breached an agreement to keep the transfer confidential.
Kyiv denied that such an agreement existed, prompting Cheong Wa Dae to demand an explanation and apology on Sept. 27.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the row as a diplomatic misunderstanding on Oct. 1, and expressed hope for a swift resolution.
President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Sept. 29. Yonhap
Lee responded by warning of further measures if Ukraine continued refusing to acknowledge the confidentiality agreement and offer a public apology. A senior official from Seoul's foreign ministry also said it has written documents proving that Seoul and Kyiv agreed to keep the transfer secret.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told lawmakers on Tuesday that he had received a message containing an apology from his Ukrainian counterpart, but said it fell short of Seoul’s expectations.
He said the government was considering firm measures, including recalling its ambassador.
A source said it was unclear whether Ukraine had been notified of the decision when Seoul announced the recall. He added that Seoul also does not know whether Kyiv might recall its charge d’affaires in Seoul in response. The post of Ukranian Ambassador in Korea has been vacant since September 2025.
The Ukrainian Embassy in Seoul could not be reached for a comment.
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