South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has issued a warning to Ukraine, threatening further action unless Kyiv acknowledges an alleged confidentiality agreement regarding the transfer of two North Korean soldiers and offers an apology. The soldiers were captured while fighting for Russia and later transferred to South Korea, a move that has sparked a diplomatic dispute between the two nations.
The controversy arose when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the transfer, which Seoul insists was subject to an agreement to protect the soldiers’ identities and circumstances. Ukrainian officials, however, have disputed the existence of such an agreement. President Lee expressed his concern over Ukrainian comments that he believes could heighten tensions on the Korean Peninsula by hinting at a potential military confrontation between North and South Korea.
In an effort to resolve the dispute, foreign ministry officials from South Korea and Ukraine have engaged in talks focusing on Seoul’s concerns, including the possibility of an apology from Ukraine. Both countries aim to prevent the disagreement from straining their bilateral relations further.
Despite the ongoing tension, South Korea continues to support Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, South Korea has provided humanitarian and financial assistance and has committed to additional non-lethal support.