Misunderstanding with South Korea arose due to differing interpretations of confidentiality, - Foreign Ministry
Ukraine and South Korea had agreed in advance on the details of the handover of two North Korean prisoners of war, but differing interpretations of the confidentiality arrangements led to a misunderstanding.
This was stated by Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a press briefing, according to Censor.NET.
Working through closed channels
According to Tykhyi, Kyiv and Seoul are continuing to work actively through closed diplomatic channels to resolve the situation and "turn the page". The spokesperson emphasised that it is precisely these private contacts that are ongoing, and that further comments – whether from the Ukrainian or South Korean side – which could jeopardise them are currently "inappropriate".
"We believe that the exchange of critical public statements was caused by a difference in interpretation of the agreements regarding confidentiality arrangements," said Tykhyi.
How Kyiv explains its actions
Tykhyi recalled that in January 2025, the Defence Forces had taken two soldiers from North Korean units, who had been fighting as part of the Russian Armed Forces, prisoner. Since then, reports about them have been widely circulated in the Ukrainian, foreign and North Korean media.
According to the spokesperson, Seoul, citing the provisions of its own Constitution – which defines the country’s territory as the entire Korean Peninsula – has been actively approaching Ukraine through various channels – both private and public – regarding the handover of these individuals as its own citizens.
Ukraine has taken a series of legal and logistical measures to facilitate the handover of prisoners of war in accordance with national legislation and international humanitarian law. The basis for this was the written consent of the men themselves, the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries, and a fundamental agreement between the heads of state.
"We believe that Ukraine has made a gesture of goodwill and a friendly move towards the Republic of Korea by responding positively to the request from our Korean partners," said Tykhyi.
On ‘apologies’ and correspondence
Commenting on reports that Ukraine had allegedly apologised to Seoul, the spokesperson pointed out that Minister Andrii Sybiha had merely written in messages to his South Korean counterpart that he regretted the situation having escalated to the point of an exchange of critical remarks.
Tikhyi also noted that the diplomatic correspondence had remained confidential; however, following South Korea’s public disclosure, the Ukrainian side may also reveal some of the details. According to him, there is a marked difference between what the South Korean side stated and what was actually said, and a public exchange of comments is "of no use to anyone". The spokesperson called on the media to rely on objective information.
The issue of fuel exports to the Russian Federation
Separately, Tykhyi stated that Ukraine had informed the South Korean side of the fact that fuel was being exported to Russia — in the context of closed-door diplomatic discussions, citing press reports and its own data.
"These facts were brought to the attention of the Korean side, again within the framework of diplomatic communication, accompanied by a direct request for an explanation as to what these activities were and why they were taking place", the spokesperson added.
What led up to it?
- During his address to the UN General Assembly, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine had recently handed over to South Korea two North Korean prisoners of war who had been captured on the battlefield.
- In December 2025, two North Korean soldiers, who had been taken prisoner by Ukrainian defenders during combat operations, wrote a letter requesting permission to travel to South Korea. On 11 January 2025, it emerged that the Ukrainian military had captured two North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation.
- Subsequently, South Korea accused Zelenskyy of revealing a secret operation to transfer prisoners of war from North Korea.
- The Office of the President subsequently denied that Ukraine had agreed with South Korea not to disclose information regarding the handover of North Korean prisoners of war.
- Despite this, Seoul has stated that it is demanding an apology.
- On 28 August, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Andrii Veshkin, Ukraine’s chargé d’affaires in Seoul.
- South Korea has threatened Ukraine with "further measures" over the North Korean prisoners of war.
- In October, South Korea received an apology from Ukraine for disclosing information about the handover of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul.
