Zelensky announces secret transfer

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced last week that his government had transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea at the UN General Assembly.

Seoul says agreement was broken

South Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo summoned Ukraine's acting ambassador Andrii Vieshkin and expressed strong regret that Zelensky revealed the transfer, which Seoul says was supposed to be secret.

Lee calls disclosure greatly disappointing

President Lee Jae Myung called the disclosure greatly disappointing and said the transfer was a highly sensitive issue impacting national security. Seoul wanted it kept secret to protect the soldiers' families.

“greatly disappointing”

Dispute over confidentiality agreement

Zelensky's office responded claiming the two countries did not have a non-disclosure agreement. Seoul demanded Ukraine apologise for announcing a falsehood and said its actions seriously damaged trust between the nations.

Lee faces domestic criticism

Lee faced heavy criticism at home after Zelensky's disclosure. The South Korean opposition accused him of covering up the transfer to appease Pyongyang, as his party takes a conciliatory approach to the North.

Ukraine pushes for weapons supply

After North Korean troops deployed to support Russia in two thousand twenty-four, Kyiv stepped up pressure on South Korea to supply cutting-edge anti-air missiles. Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Zelensky, said when North Korea actively participates in a war in Europe, South Korea cannot remain a distant observer.

“When North Korea actively participates in a war in Europe, South Korea cannot remain a distant observer”