Understand
Seoul warns Ukraine of further action over prisoner-of-war disclosure
Overview
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has demanded a public apology from Ukraine after Kyiv disclosed that two North Korean prisoners of war were sent to South Korea. President Lee threatened further action and accused Kyiv of attempting to provoke a war on the Korean Peninsula, rejecting Ukraine's characterisation of the dispute as a diplomatic misunderstanding.
Key points
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung threatened unspecified further action if Ukraine does not issue a public apology.
- The diplomatic row began after Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed at the UN General Assembly that two North Korean prisoners of war had been sent to South Korea.
- Seoul stated the transfer was kept secret at Ukraine's request to protect the soldiers' families and avoid criticism, a claim denied by Zelensky's office.
- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the issue as a diplomatic misunderstanding and stated that Kyiv is working to resolve it.
- President Lee accused Kyiv of attempting to provoke a war on the Korean Peninsula following comments regarding potential inter-Korean military clashes.