South Korea demanded an explanation and apology from Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly said Kyiv had transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul, according to statements released Sunday.
Zelenskyy told the United Nations General Assembly last week that the two soldiers had been captured while fighting for Russia and were transferred to South Korea, saying they had been difficult to capture alive. Seoul’s presidential office said Ukraine had violated a confidentiality agreement by disclosing the transfer, then falsely said no nondisclosure agreement existed. Senior presidential secretary Seong Ghi-hong said the government expressed regret over Ukraine’s actions. South Korea is reviewing possible additional measures, he said.