South Korea recalled its ambassador to Ukraine after a diplomatic dispute involving two North Korean prisoners of war. According to Seoul, Ukraine publicly revealed information about their repatriation without authorization.
South Korea argued that the disclosure could endanger the soldiers’ families in North Korea. Relatives of defectors or captured soldiers may face punishment from the North Korean government. Therefore, Seoul considered the information highly sensitive.
The dispute began after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about the prisoners at the United Nations General Assembly. He said North Korean soldiers captured while fighting alongside Russia had been repatriated. However, Ukraine denied that any confidentiality agreement existed.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials described the conflict as a diplomatic misunderstanding. South Korea later said it received an apology from Ukraine. Nevertheless, Seoul stated that the response did not fully meet its expectations.
The situation became more complicated because of reports about fuel exports to Russia. South Korean ports reportedly exported more than 176,000 tons of fuel oil during July and August. In addition, some tankers involved in the shipments were under European or British sanctions.
Ukrainian officials argued that these exports may have helped Russia deal with fuel shortages. Those shortages followed Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries. In response, South Korea emphasized that it supports international efforts to end the war.
Seoul also stated that it continues to apply export controls and sanctions related to Russia. Overall, the dispute shows the growing complexity of relations among South Korea, Ukraine, Russia, and North Korea.
Reference
Euronews. (2026, October 8). South Korea recalls ambassador to Ukraine in North Korean prisoner of war row. Euronews.
https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/08/south-korea-recalls-ambassador-to-ukraine-in-north-korean-prisoner-of-war-row