South Korea Demands Apology From Ukraine Over North Korean POW Disclosure

In late September 2026, South Korea summoned Ukraine's top diplomat in Seoul and demanded an apology over Ukraine's disclosure of the transfer of North Korean prisoners of war. Seoul accused Kyiv of violating a secrecy agreement concerning the handling of North Korean soldiers.

The dispute marks a souring of relations between Ukraine and South Korea, which had cooperated on issues related to North Korean personnel. South Korea expressed regret over the disclosure and called for an explanation.