South Korea has summoned Ukraine’s acting ambassador after President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly revealed that two captured North Korean soldiers had been transferred to Seoul. The diplomatic dispute has drawn fresh attention to the wider Ukraine war, North Korea’s military support for Russia and the increasingly sensitive security relationship between Seoul and Kyiv.
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Ireland Breaking News: Seoul protests disclosure
South Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo formally complained to Ukraine’s acting ambassador, Andrii Vieshkin. Seoul expressed strong regret that the transfer had been disclosed publicly, saying the matter was intended to remain confidential because of its implications for national security and the families of the two North Koreans.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung described the disclosure as “greatly disappointing”. His office said Ukraine had understood that the soldiers might be mentioned in a presidential address, but that their transfer to South Korea was not meant to be announced.
The disagreement intensified after Ukraine’s presidential office said there had been no formal non-disclosure agreement. Seoul rejected that position and demanded an apology, arguing that the public disagreement had damaged trust between the two countries.
Latest Irish news audiences follow the wider Ukraine conflict
Ukraine said its forces captured the two North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region in early 2025. The men were reportedly wounded and later told local media that they wanted to travel to South Korea rather than return to North Korea.
Their eventual transfer followed more than a year of discussions between Seoul and Kyiv. Zelensky announced the move during an address at the United Nations General Assembly, saying the soldiers had not been easy to capture alive.
The episode highlights the complicated legal, diplomatic and humanitarian questions surrounding North Korean troops involved in Russia’s war. It also illustrates how battlefield developments can affect relations far beyond Europe, including security planning in East Asia.
Why the transfer became politically sensitive
- Seoul wanted to protect the soldiers’ relatives from possible retaliation in North Korea.
- Ukraine reportedly wanted to avoid criticism for surrendering a potential bargaining asset in prisoner exchanges.
- South Korea’s government faced domestic accusations that it had concealed information to support dialogue with Pyongyang.
- The public disagreement created a new strain in relations between Seoul and Kyiv.
President Lee has pursued a more conciliatory approach towards North Korea and has sought to reopen peace discussions, although those efforts have made little progress. Opposition politicians criticised his administration after Zelensky disclosed the transfer, increasing pressure on the government at home.
Ukraine, Russia and South Korea’s security dilemma
South Korea has supported Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, but it has maintained a longstanding policy against supplying lethal weapons to countries actively engaged in war. Seoul has instead provided non-lethal assistance, including helmets, body armour and medical equipment.
That position has been tested since North Korean forces began supporting Russia in 2024. Kyiv has urged Seoul to provide advanced air-defence systems, arguing that South Korean technology could help protect Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure from missiles and drones.
Ukraine’s government has also argued that North Korea’s participation in the conflict directly affects South Korean national security. Seoul, meanwhile, must balance its support for Ukraine with its relationships with Russia and China, both of which remain important players in efforts to influence North Korea.
South Korea announced a $100 million assistance package for Ukraine in July. The package was described as an expansion of previous non-lethal support. Russia has warned that it would retaliate if Seoul supplied weapons to Ukraine, although Moscow did not specify what action it might take.
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What happens next?
The immediate issue is whether Seoul and Kyiv can repair the diplomatic damage caused by the disclosure. South Korea is likely to continue supporting Ukraine through humanitarian and non-lethal assistance, while remaining cautious about crossing its red line on weapons transfers.
The dispute also raises questions about the future treatment of North Korean prisoners captured in the conflict. Their wishes, the safety of their families and the possibility of prisoner exchanges could all influence future negotiations.
The key takeaway: this is more than a disagreement over public statements. The transfer of the two North Korean soldiers has exposed the difficult balance South Korea must maintain between supporting Ukraine, managing relations with Russia and China, and pursuing its own security and diplomatic goals on the Korean peninsula.
