South Korea recalls eight diplomats from Ukraine

South Korea has recalled eight diplomats from Ukraine amid a dispute over Kyiv's disclosure of information regarding the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war.

Source: Yonhap News, citing a statement by South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun

Details: "Eight have been withdrawn so far," Cho said, adding that the withdrawal was unavoidable.

Meanwhile, he noted that, despite the partial recall, he continues to communicate with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in order to resolve this issue.

Background:

• In mid-October, South Korea decided to recall some 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, as well as the ongoing risk of Russian airstrikes.
• 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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