South Korea dissatisfied with Kyiv's apology after Ukraine leaks North Korean POWs transfer

Cho Hyun, South Korean Foreign Minister, has stated that his country received a message from Ukraine with apology for publicising information regarding the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul, adding that the apology failed to meet Seoul's expectations.

Source: Cho Hyun, quoted by South Korean news agency Yonhap

Quote: "I have been in continuous contact with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha over the matter and he has expressed how difficult the situation is.

Messages that I received (from Sybiha) included an apology. But there is a difference from the level we expect, so we intend to take firm measures."

Details: The minister added that the government is considering various options, including the potential recall of South Korea's ambassador to Ukraine, Park Hee-chang, as suggested by one MP.

Seoul demanded an official explanation and apology after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicised the transfer last month, with his administration subsequently denying the existence of a confidentiality agreement on the matter.

In response to Seoul's demand for an official explanation and apology, Sybiha referred to the situation as a "diplomatic misunderstanding" and expressed hope that it would soon be resolved.

Background:

• South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said that Ukraine had breached a non-disclosure agreement by publicly revealing the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea.
• Dmytro Lytvyn, communications adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, denied that Ukraine had breached an agreement with South Korea.
• However, the office of the president of the Republic of Korea demanded an official explanation and apology from Ukraine over the disclosure of this information.
• Additionally, in late September, a mine explosion incident occurred in the demilitarised zone along the border with North Korea, injuring three South Korean soldiers. An early investigation indicated that the explosion was most likely caused by North Korean mines. Seoul threatened Pyongyang with retaliatory measures should North Korea's involvement be confirmed.

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