The South Korean government expressed strong regret over Ukraine's unilateral disclosure of the return of two North Korean soldiers and its denial of a confidential agreement between the two countries. On September 28, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Andrii Vieshkin, the Chargé d'Affaires of Ukraine in South Korea, to convey this position directly.
The controversy surrounding the confidential agreement arose following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's speech at the United Nations General Assembly, which was preceded by a public warning from the South Korean government.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo met with Vieshkin to discuss the South Korean government's stance regarding the return of the North Korean soldiers.
Park pointed out that despite a clear confidential agreement between South Korea and Ukraine regarding the return of the North Korean soldiers, Ukraine publicly announced their transfer to South Korea at the UN General Assembly without sufficient prior explanation or specific consultation.
He also expressed strong regret over the Ukrainian presidential office's statement claiming that no such agreement existed, describing it as an act that seriously undermines trust between the two governments and disrupts their friendly relations.
Park demanded an official clarification and apology from the Ukrainian government regarding the unilateral disclosure and false statements, urging measures to prevent a recurrence. Vieshkin reportedly listened carefully to the South Korean government's position and promised to accurately report it back to his home country.
This summoning by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs came just a day after the South Korean presidential office announced its intention to consider additional measures.
The Blue House stated that Ukraine had initially requested to keep the fact of the soldiers' return confidential during negotiations, fearing domestic criticism that it would forfeit opportunities to exchange its own prisoners if the return to South Korea became public.
The South Korean government explained that it had agreed to keep the matter confidential and proceeded with the return process, considering the safety of the prisoners and their families, as well as diplomatic and security issues. The Blue House characterized Ukraine's unilateral disclosure and denial of the confidential agreement as "false statements" and demanded an official clarification and apology while considering further actions.
The controversy began when President Zelensky announced on September 23 during his keynote address at the UN General Assembly in New York that he had sent two North Korean war prisoners to South Korea.
On September 24, while on a state visit to Mexico, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung expressed disappointment on social media, stating, "I do not know the circumstances behind Ukraine's decision to disclose the agreement, but it is quite regrettable."
In response, Dmytro Litvin, an advisor for communications in the Ukrainian presidential office, refuted on September 25 via Facebook, stating, "There was no such agreement, and that is not true."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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