South Korea Demands Explanation and Apology from Ukraine Over North Korean POWs
Summary
South Korea has demanded a formal explanation and apology from Ukraine after Kyiv publicly disclosed the transfer of two North Korean POWs to Seoul. The dispute has strained trust between the two governments amid broader tensions over the war in Ukraine and North Korea’s role in supporting Russia.
Key Points
- South Korea’s presidential office says Ukraine violated a confidentiality understanding by publicly announcing the handover of two North Korean POWs.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the UN General Assembly that the prisoners had been sent to South Korea after being captured in Russia’s Kursk region.
- Seoul says the disclosure could damage bilateral relations and has asked for an explanation and apology.
- North Korea is estimated to have deployed 14,000 to 15,000 troops to support Russia, with more than 6,000 reportedly killed.
