South Korea is recalling its ambassador to Kyiv, in a diplomatic row over two captured North Korean soldiers whose transfer to Seoul Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed at the UN. Seoul says Ukraine broke a confidentiality agreement; Kyiv says it never agreed to one.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday, October 8, that it had “decided to recall its ambassador to Ukraine”, Al Jazeera reported, citing AFP and Reuters.
It said it hopes “all outstanding issues between the two countries will be resolved amicably” and will continue consultations with Kyiv.
What Started It
The row began when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke at the UN General Assembly last month about the transfer of two North Korean soldiers to South Korea.
South Korea says it had agreed a nondisclosure arrangement with Ukraine in mid-September over the transfer and accuses Kyiv of violating it. Ukraine denies agreeing to any such deal.
South Korean officials said the confidentiality was meant to protect the soldiers and their relatives in the North.
Escalation
Days before the recall, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung threatened unspecified punitive steps if Ukraine refused to apologise.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said it remained open to resuming “constructive dialogue, even if it will take some time”, and that diplomacy “should prevail over emotions”.
The Soldiers
- They were among thousands of North Korean troops sent to support Russia’s war against Ukraine
- They were captured in early 2025
- They have said they want to resettle in South Korea, because they could face persecution if returned to the North
South Korea said it would accept them because it legally regards North Korea as part of its territory and has a policy of accepting and financially supporting defectors.
North Korean state media has not commented on the transfer. The North has reacted with fury to past defections, accusing the South of kidnapping its citizens.
The Relationship at Stake
South Korea has given Ukraine $445 million in humanitarian assistance since 2022. In July, Lee pledged a further $100 million in aid during a meeting with Zelenskyy.
Recalling an ambassador is a step short of cutting ties, and both governments say they want the dispute resolved.
Image: President Lee Jae Myung at Seoul Air Base before leaving for the G20 trip, November 2025 (file photo). Photo: Republic of Korea (Korea.net) / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
