South Korea's intelligence agency has raised concerns that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may have intentionally disclosed the transfer of two North Korean soldiers to South Korea to garner public support for military assistance to Ukraine. This suspicion was revealed by a lawmaker on Wednesday. The disclosure has sparked controversy, particularly given the sensitive nature of the situation.
According to lawmaker Yoo Yeong-ha, the intelligence agency believes Zelenskyy "may have chosen to disclose the transfer" to encourage public support in Seoul for military assistance to Ukraine. This comes after Zelenskyy announced last week that Ukraine had sent the two soldiers to South Korea, noting that their capture had been challenging. The announcement was made at the United Nations.
The two North Korean soldiers were captured last year while serving in North Korea's military, which has been supporting Russia. One soldier told South Korean media that he had been conscripted at 17 and was part of a reconnaissance unit. The soldiers arrived in South Korea from Ukraine in mid-September and were reported to be in good health.
Following Zelenskyy's comments, South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung expressed his concern, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality to protect the POWs' families in North Korea. In response, South Korea summoned Ukraine's ambassador to voice "serious concerns" regarding the public disclosure. The South Korean foreign ministry stated that both Seoul and Kyiv had agreed to handle the matter confidentially.
However, Yoo clarified that there was no formal agreement between the leaders for confidentiality, although diplomatic officials had mutually agreed to keep the discussions private. The Ukrainian side had initially requested strict confidentiality due to concerns over how the disclosure might affect future prisoner exchanges with Russia.
The controversy may complicate Kyiv's requests for military support from Seoul, which has so far refrained from supplying lethal weapons, citing a domestic policy that prevents military assistance to nations engaged in conflict. However, South Korea is considering requests for defensive weapons, especially following North Korea's troop deployment to assist Russia against a surprise Ukrainian advance in the Kursk region in 2024.
A previous statement from a South Korean lawmaker indicated that the soldiers desired a "normal life" in South Korea. Another lawmaker, Youn Kun-young, mentioned that the POWs' intention to relocate had been confirmed multiple times. The situation remains sensitive, with both parties handling the matter with caution to avoid further complications.
Key points
- South Korea's intelligence agency suspects Zelenskyy disclosed the transfer of two North Korean soldiers to bolster public support for arms supplies to Ukraine.
- The disclosure has sparked controversy, particularly given the sensitive nature of the situation and concerns over the safety of the POWs' families in North Korea.
- The controversy may complicate Kyiv's requests for military support from Seoul, which has so far refrained from supplying lethal weapons.
