South Korea has expressed strong regret over Ukraine's denial of a claimed nondisclosure agreement concerning the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. The South Korean presidential office stated that Ukraine's unilateral disclosure of the transfer and subsequent denial of the agreement were "false" and "seriously hampers" bilateral trust. Senior presidential secretary for public relations Seong Ghi-hong said that South Korea was considering additional measures if necessary.
According to Seong Ghi-hong, the alleged nondisclosure agreement was intended to safeguard the soldiers by keeping their transfer secret, citing international law and humanitarian principles. The agreement was also meant to protect the safety of the POWs and their families, as well as diplomatic and security considerations. Seong added that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed the transfer without prior explanation or consultation despite the alleged mutual agreement.
Zelenskyy disclosed the transfer during his United Nations General Assembly address on September 23, stating that Ukraine had sent two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. He described the soldiers as being difficult to capture alive, with one attempting to kill himself when he realized he was being taken prisoner. Zelenskyy also claimed that North Korean troops had been sent by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to support Russian forces in Ukraine and had suffered "heavy losses."
Ukraine transferred the two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea after they were captured in Russia's Kursk region in early 2025. The soldiers had been deployed to the region to support Russian forces. According to Anadolu news agency, Ukraine and South Korea discussed the possible transfer of the two soldiers to South Korea in accordance with international law, humanitarian principles, and the soldiers' wishes.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Zelenskyy agreed in July to handle the issue on humanitarian grounds while respecting the wishes of the soldiers. However, Seong Ghi-hong expressed "deep regret" over domestic individuals politicizing the sensitive security issue in favor of Ukraine and called for an end to the spread of unfounded falsehoods. The South Korean presidential office also claimed that the Ukrainian government had demanded confidentiality due to possible domestic criticism over giving up the chance to exchange the North Korean POWs for Ukrainian POWs.
Zelenskyy stated that the situation demonstrated how a war "that was not prevented in time, was not stopped in time, and for which Russia was not punished in time, keeps spreading - and spreads evil with it." He further claimed that Kim Jong Un "uses them like currency" in return for benefits including improved ballistic missiles and greater drone capabilities for Pyongyang.
The incident has strained relations between South Korea and Ukraine, with South Korea considering additional measures in response to Ukraine's denial of the nondisclosure agreement. The incident has also raised concerns about the politicization of sensitive security issues and the spread of misinformation.
Key points
- South Korea expresses strong regret over Ukraine's denial of a nondisclosure agreement regarding the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea.
- The alleged nondisclosure agreement was intended to safeguard the soldiers by keeping their transfer secret, citing international law and humanitarian principles.
- The incident has strained relations between South Korea and Ukraine, with South Korea considering additional measures in response to Ukraine's denial of the nondisclosure agreement.
