Why did South Korea accuse Ukraine of breaching confidentiality over the North Korean POW repatriation?

South Korea said both countries had agreed to maintain confidentiality for as long as possible, but Zelenskyy disclosed the repatriation during his Sept. 23 U.N. General Assembly address without prior coordination with Seoul. Ukraine has denied that a non-disclosure agreement existed.

What did South Korea and Ukraine discuss about the timing of disclosing the North Korean POW transfer?

They did not discuss a specific disclosure timeline. Yoon Ji-wan said the two sides instead shared the view that discussions about the repatriation should remain confidential for as long as possible.

How did the North Korean POW disclosure affect South Korea-Ukraine relations?

The disclosure caused a diplomatic dispute, with Seoul demanding an apology and Kyiv rejecting the existence of a confidentiality pact. South Korea recalled Ambassador Park Ki-chang, while Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said he considered the matter closed.

S. Korea, Ukraine had no discussion on timing of disclosing NK POW repatriation: diplomat

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Summary

South Korea and Ukraine agreed to keep discussions on repatriating captured North Korean soldiers confidential for as long as possible, a South Korean diplomat said Sunday in Warsaw. Yoon Ji-wan said Seoul was not consulted on the timing of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Sept. 23 disclosure at the U.N. General Assembly. The revelation worsened bilateral relations, prompting South Korea to recall its ambassador to Ukraine.

Key Facts

Yoon Ji-wan said Ukraine had not provided a specific explanation for why Zelenskyy disclosed the repatriation of the North Korean prisoners of war.
Yoon said criticism had emerged within Ukraine over poor internal coordination and the spontaneous breach of confidentiality.
South Korea says a non-disclosure agreement existed, while Ukraine has denied that such a pact existed and has rejected Seoul’s demand for an apology.
Yoon said putting the diplomatic understanding in writing would have amounted to a treaty and made it difficult to publicly disclose evidence of the discussions.
Yoon attended the parliamentary audit virtually from Kyiv, representing the South Korean Embassy in Ukraine after Ambassador Park Ki-chang was recalled.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 18, 2026 9:48 pm KST

President Lee Jae Myung shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of their summit at a hotel in Ankara, Turkey, July 8. Yonhap

WARSAW — South Korea and Ukraine had formed a consensus to keep discussions on the repatriation of captured North Korean soldiers confidential for as long as possible, a South Korean diplomat said Sunday.

Yoon Ji-wan, charge d'affaires at the South Korean Embassy in Ukraine, made the remark during a parliamentary audit by the subcommittee on foreign affairs conducted at the South Korean Embassy in Poland.

"We had no discussions on a timeline for disclosure, but we did share the idea that confidentiality should be maintained for as long as possible," Yoon said via video.

Yoon said the embassy in Ukraine was caught off guard when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed the repatriation of the North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) during his address to the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 23. Yoon added that Ukraine had yet to provide a specific explanation on why Zelenskyy made that disclosure.

"Even within Ukraine, there has been criticism over the lack of internal coordination and the spontaneous breach of confidentiality," Yoon said. "The Ukrainian side has not refuted our claims further. This has led us to believe that they cannot deny the existence of the non-disclosure agreement."

South Korea and Ukraine have seen their relations turn frosty in light of Zelenskyy's revelation. Seoul has accused Kyiv of breaching the non-disclosure agreement, while Ukraine has shot back that no such pact existed in the first place.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha recently claimed in a media interview that he considered the matter closed, shunning South Korea's demand for an apology.

Amid the diplomatic row, South Korea recalled its ambassador to Ukraine, Park Ki-chang.

When lawmakers pointed out that the failure to secure the non-disclosure deal in writing had caused the friction, Yoon said, "Formalizing a diplomatic agreement in writing would amount to a treaty," adding that it was difficult to publicly disclose specific proof of diplomatic discussions.

"The repatriation of the POWs is a major achievement for both nations," Yoon added. "There is a mutual understanding that bilateral relations should be built on stability and trust, and that this issue must be resolved wisely."

Yoon attended the parliamentary audit virtually from Kyiv, representing the embassy following Ambassador Park's recall.

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