South Korea Recalls Ambassador from Ukraine Amid Dispute Over North Korean POW Transfer
World
South Korea has decided to recall its ambassador from Ukraine amid a diplomatic dispute triggered by Kyiv’s disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul. Yonhap reported the decision on October 8, citing South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The South Korean Foreign Ministry said it hopes the differences between the two countries can be resolved and that consultations with the Ukrainian side will continue. The timing of Ambassador Park Ki-chang’s return to Seoul has not been specified.
The dispute centers on two North Korean soldiers who were captured while taking part in hostilities on Russia’s side. On September 24, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during his address to the UN General Assembly in New York that Ukraine had recently transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to the Republic of Korea. The Ukrainian president’s official website confirms that the announcement was made during his UN General Assembly address.
Seoul has said that the two sides had an understanding that information about the transfer of the prisoners would remain confidential. According to the South Korean side, keeping the matter private was necessary to protect the soldiers themselves and their relatives who remain in North Korea.
After the disclosure, South Korea demanded an official explanation and an apology from Ukraine. On September 28, the South Korean Foreign Ministry summoned Andrii Vieshkin, Ukraine’s acting ambassador to South Korea, and conveyed Seoul’s strong concern over the issue.
On October 6, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said he had received a message from his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, that included an apology, but said it fell short of Seoul’s expectations. Cho said the government intended to take “firm measures,” including considering the recall of the ambassador.
On October 8, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry formally announced its decision to recall Park Ki-chang to Seoul. The ministry said it hopes all outstanding issues between the two countries will be resolved smoothly and that consultations with Ukraine will continue.
The dispute centers on two North Korean soldiers who were captured while taking part in hostilities on Russia’s side. On September 24, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during his address to the UN General Assembly in New York that Ukraine had recently transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to the Republic of Korea. The Ukrainian president’s official website confirms that the announcement was made during his UN General Assembly address.
Seoul has said that the two sides had an understanding that information about the transfer of the prisoners would remain confidential. According to the South Korean side, keeping the matter private was necessary to protect the soldiers themselves and their relatives who remain in North Korea.
After the disclosure, South Korea demanded an official explanation and an apology from Ukraine. On September 28, the South Korean Foreign Ministry summoned Andrii Vieshkin, Ukraine’s acting ambassador to South Korea, and conveyed Seoul’s strong concern over the issue.
On October 6, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said he had received a message from his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, that included an apology, but said it fell short of Seoul’s expectations. Cho said the government intended to take “firm measures,” including considering the recall of the ambassador.
On October 8, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry formally announced its decision to recall Park Ki-chang to Seoul. The ministry said it hopes all outstanding issues between the two countries will be resolved smoothly and that consultations with Ukraine will continue.
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