South Korea threatens Ukraine with measures over DPRK prisoner disclosure

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Friday threatened to take additional measures against Ukraine if Kyiv continues to refuse to acknowledge a confidentiality agreement Seoul says was in place regarding the transfer of two captured North Korean soldiers and does not issue a public apology.

Seoul's demands

In a post on the social network X, President Lee stated that if Ukraine's refusal to acknowledge the facts and issue a public apology continues, South Korea will take additional measures. The president did not specify what those measures would be.

Context: the North Korean POW row

The diplomatic row centers on two North Korean soldiers who were captured by Ukrainian forces. South Korea claims an agreement was reached with Kyiv about how their transfer would be handled and the information kept confidential. Ukraine's statements about the prisoners drew sharp criticism from Seoul. Lee also expressed what he described as deep concern over Ukrainian statements suggesting a possible future military confrontation between South and North Korea.

The escalating dispute threatens to damage the Ukraine-South Korea relationship at a time when Kyiv is seeking to shore up global support against Russia.