South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has threatened unspecified measures against Ukraine unless Kyiv acknowledges a confidentiality agreement that Seoul says covered the transfer of two captured North Korean soldiers and issues an apology. Lee expressed "grave regret" over Ukrainian remarks about an imminent military clash between North and South Korea. He made the statement in a post on X, warning of additional measures if the situation persists.
The dispute between Seoul and Kyiv began when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced at the United Nations General Assembly that Ukraine had transferred two North Korean prisoners of war captured while fighting for Russia to South Korea. Seoul accused Kyiv of breaching an agreement to keep the transfer confidential to protect the soldiers, while Ukrainian officials denied any such agreement existed.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Kyiv was seeking to mend ties with South Korea, describing the situation as a "diplomatic misunderstanding." Sybiha's comments were reported by Ukrainian media, indicating a desire to resolve the issue. The Ukrainian embassy in Seoul did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Lee's remarks.
A senior South Korean Foreign Ministry official reported that the countries' foreign ministers had been discussing how Kyiv could address Seoul's concerns, including a possible apology. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Sybiha were in direct contact, exploring the level of response Seoul was seeking and what Ukraine could accept, taking into account Ukraine's wartime circumstances.
The dispute arises at a sensitive time for Lee's administration, which has sought to reduce tensions with North Korea and is dealing with the political fallout from a recent landmine incident in the Demilitarized Zone. South Korea has provided humanitarian and financial assistance to Ukraine since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion and pledged an additional $100 million in non-lethal support in July.
Cho Han-bum, a senior fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul, suggested that any additional measures would likely involve support South Korea already provides to Ukraine. Cho noted that Ukraine has more to lose than South Korea, as it relies on Seoul's assistance. He emphasized that neither side benefits from a prolonged confrontation.
South Korea relies on Ukraine for information related to North Korea's military activities, adding complexity to the situation. The countries' foreign ministers continue to discuss a resolution, balancing the need to address Seoul's concerns with the need to avoid causing either side a loss of face. The situation remains a diplomatic challenge for both nations.
Key points
- South Korea threatens unspecified measures against Ukraine over the transfer of North Korean soldiers.
- Ukraine seeks to mend ties with South Korea, describing the situation as a "diplomatic misunderstanding."
- The dispute arises at a sensitive time for South Korea, dealing with tensions with North Korea and fallout from a landmine incident.
