Seoul warns 'further action' if Ukraine does not apologise over prisoner-of-war row

South Korea has cautioned Ukraine that it could take unspecified additional measures if Kyiv fails to publicly apologize for disclosing the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul, according to a report by BBC News.

The diplomatic fallout began after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the United Nations General Assembly that the two captured soldiers had been sent to South Korea. South Korean officials were angered by the announcement, maintaining that the arrangement was intended to remain confidential.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung rejected suggestions from Kyiv that the dispute is merely a diplomatic misunderstanding, writing on social media platform X that the matter touches on the dignity of both the Korean nation and its citizens. Lee also accused Ukraine of attempting to provoke conflict on the Korean Peninsula.

According to Lee's office, Ukrainian authorities had initially asked to keep the soldier transfer quiet. Seoul stated that this confidentiality was requested to protect the families of the captured men and to shield Kyiv from domestic fallout over releasing potential assets that could have been used to trade for captured Ukrainian personnel. However, Zelensky's office denied that any agreement regarding secrecy existed, fueling tensions between the two capitals.

Domestically, the public revelation has triggered severe political blowback for Lee. Opposition politicians in South Korea have accused the administration of concealing the soldiers' arrival in order to avoid provoking North Korea. The two captured men were part of thousands of North Korean troops deployed in support of Russian forces in Ukraine, and both had previously stated to media outlets that they wished to go to South Korea.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha attempted to de-escalate the dispute on Thursday, characterizing the spat as a diplomatic misunderstanding that officials in Kyiv are actively trying to settle. Sybiha told Ukrainian media that South Korea remains an important partner and expressed optimism that bilateral relations would maintain positive momentum.

Lee pushed back strongly against that stance, expressing deep regret that Ukrainian leaders had not admitted to the alleged agreement or issued an apology. He criticized Kyiv for instead raising fears of an imminent military clash across the Korean border.

While South Korea has expressed general support for Kyiv following Russia's invasion, the government has maintained its established legal and foreign policy restrictions against supplying lethal weaponry to nations engaged in active conflicts.