South Korea recalls part of its diplomatic staff from Ukraine over POWs dispute

South Korea has decided to recall a portion of its diplomatic staff from Ukraine due to what Seoul considers a lack of positive steps by Kyiv to resolve a dispute over the public disclosure of information regarding the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs), as well as ongoing threats of Russian air strikes.

Source: Yonhap, a South Korean news agency, citing Park Doo-soon, spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea

Details: Park Doo-soon said during a regular press briefing that Ukraine has yet to take "positive steps" to resolve the diplomatic dispute regarding Kyiv's unilateral disclosure of information about the transport of North Korean POWs to Seoul and that persistent threats of air strikes complicate ensuring the security of diplomatic personnel.

Despite this partial recall, it is noted that South Korea will maintain necessary diplomatic contacts with Ukraine led by a chargé d'affaires ad interim, adding that all consular staff will remain in the country to continue efforts to protect South Korean citizens.

Earlier in October, South Korea recalled its ambassador to Ukraine, Park Ki-chang, as Seoul expressed regret over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's public disclosure of information regarding the transfer of North Korean prisoners of war.

Seoul is demanding an official explanation and an apology from Ukraine regarding Zelenskyy's disclosure of the information. Meanwhile, the Office of the President of Ukraine denies the existence of an agreement to maintain confidentiality on the matter.

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 POWs to South Korea and that making the information public could lead to numerous problems.
• Dmytro Lytvyn, communications adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, denied that Ukraine had breached an agreement with South Korea not to disclose information about the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war.
• However, the Office of the President of the Republic of Korea demanded an official explanation and apology from Ukraine over the disclosure of the transfer to South Korea of North Korean prisoners of war who had fought on Russia's side in the war.

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