South Korea recalls ambassador to Ukraine amid dispute with Kyiv - Reuters

South Korea announced on Monday that it will recall its ambassador to Ukraine, citing a dispute with Kyiv over the handling of two North Korean prisoners of war who had defected to Seoul. The decision was made by the South Korean foreign ministry as the two governments seek to resolve the disagreement.

The controversy centers on the status of the two North Korean soldiers captured during the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly disclosed last month that the prisoners had been transferred to South Korea, a move that South Korea says violated a confidentiality agreement reached with Kyiv regarding the detainees.

Seoul maintains that the details of the prisoners’ transfer were to remain confidential and that Zelensky’s announcement breached that understanding. The South Korean government has formally accused the Ukrainian president of breaking the agreement, prompting the recall of its envoy as a diplomatic response.

In a statement, the foreign ministry said the ambassador’s recall will allow South Korean officials to consult with their Ukrainian counterparts and work toward a mutually acceptable resolution. The ministry emphasized that the recall does not signal a broader deterioration in the bilateral relationship but reflects the seriousness with which Seoul views the breach of confidentiality.

The recall adds a diplomatic strain to the otherwise close ties between South Korea and Ukraine, both of which have cooperated closely since Russia’s invasion. Both sides have indicated a willingness to discuss the matter further, though no specific timeline for a resolution has been provided.