Why is South Korea so angry with Ukraine over two North Korean prisoners of war?

What Happened

Ukrainian forces captured two North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk region in January 2025. The men, among thousands of troops Pyongyang sent to fight for Moscow, later said they wanted to go to South Korea, which regards North Koreans as its own citizens. After President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the UN General Assembly that Ukraine had "sent two North Korean prisoners of war to the Republic of Korea", South Korea summoned Ukraine's chargé d'affaires on Monday and demanded a governmental apology. Seoul said Kyiv had requested secrecy about the transfer to avoid domestic criticism for passing up an exchange for "a large number" of Ukrainian prisoners. Zelenskyy's adviser Dmytro Lytvyn denied any non-disclosure agreement, while President Lee Jae Myung's office called Kyiv's statement false and said its conduct seriously damages trust between the two governments.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The dispute exposes friction between South Korea and Ukraine despite Seoul's support for Kyiv, including sanctions and a $100m aid package, and creates an opening for domestic criticism of Lee Jae Myung's government. It also touches on the politically sensitive status of North Korean defectors and Pyongyang's use of troops in Russia's war, potentially straining South Korea's cautious refusal to send lethal weapons directly to Ukraine.

Watch For

Monitor whether South Korea's foreign ministry receives the demanded apology from Ukraine, any further statements from Zelenskyy's office or Dmytro Lytvyn, North Korea's response to the transfer or resettlement of the two men, and whether South Korean lawmakers act on Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-joo's call to review aid to Ukraine 'immediately'.