South Korea Recalls Kyiv Ambassador Amid Diplomatic Dispute Over North Korean POWs

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has prompted a diplomatic escalation as South Korea announces the recall of its ambassador to Kyiv. The move follows a disclosure by Ukraine regarding the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea.

The announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday arrived just days after President Lee Jae Myung warned of potential punitive measures unless Ukraine issued an apology over the revelation. In an official statement, the ministry noted its decision to recall the ambassador while expressing hope that all ongoing disputes between the two nations can be resolved amicably through continued consultations with the Ukrainian side.

The diplomatic friction began when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly addressed the transfer of the North Korean soldiers during his address at the United Nations General Assembly last month. South Korea claimed that Ukraine breached a nondisclosure agreement concerning the mid-September transfer, though Kyiv has disputed the existence of any such arrangement.

The affected soldiers were part of a larger deployment of North Korean troops sent to aid Russia’s military campaign against Ukraine. Following their capture in early 2025, the troops sought resettlement in South Korea due to fears of persecution if returned to North Korea. South Korean authorities agreed to accept the individuals, citing constitutional provisions viewing the North as part of its territory alongside standard policies for assisting defectors. Officials explained that the nondisclosure agreement was initially established to protect the safety of the soldiers and their families remaining in North Korea.

State media in North Korea has not yet issued statements regarding the transfer, though the government has historically reacted angrily to major defections, frequently labeling them as South Korean kidnappings. Since 2019, North Korea has rejected diplomatic engagement with South Korea and the United States, prioritizing the expansion of its nuclear capabilities. Meanwhile, South Korea has delivered $445m in humanitarian aid to Ukraine since 2022, alongside an additional $100m pledge made by President Lee Jae Myung to Volodymyr Zelenskyy in July.