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South Korea has demanded an official explanation and apology from Ukraine over Vladimir Zelensky\u2019s disclosure of a secret transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war captured in Russia, accusing Kiev of breaking a confidentiality agreement and then falsely denying that it existed.<\/p>\n
Seoul\u2019s presidential office escalated the diplomatic row in a statement on Sunday, expressing \u201cstrong regret\u201d<\/em> over Ukraine\u2019s attempt to downplay Zelensky\u2019s blunder at the UN General Assembly last week.<\/p>\n \u201cWe express strong regret over the Ukrainian government\u2019s unilateral disclosure in violation of the confidentiality agreement, and its subsequent false public statement denying the existence of an agreement, and demand an official explanation and apology,\u201d<\/em> senior presidential secretary for public relations Seong Ghi-hong said<\/a>. Seoul is also reviewing unspecified \u201cfurther necessary measures,\u201d<\/em> he added.<\/p>\n According to Seong, the two governments discussed the transfer through a number of channels, and Ukraine itself requested that the arrangement remain secret. Kiev was reportedly concerned that publicizing the transfer could trigger criticism at home for giving up two North Korean soldiers who might otherwise have been exchanged for Ukrainian prisoners.<\/p>\n Zelensky bragged during his UN address on September 23 that Ukraine recently sent the two men to South Korea, saying it was \u201cnot easy to capture them alive.\u201d<\/em> Pyongyang deployed troops to assist Russia in repelling a Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Region, Russia in 2024-25.<\/p>\n The disclosure drew a sharp rebuke from South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who said the transfer was an exceptionally sensitive matter affecting security on the Korean Peninsula. Lee accused Zelensky of putting short-term political interests ahead of national interests and said breaching the confidentiality arrangement was \u201cdeeply regrettable.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Lee separately warned that people who jeopardize lives, national security, and the national interest for political gain can be called \u201ckillers or traitors,\u201d<\/em> as he defended Seoul\u2019s decision to keep the transfer secret.<\/p>\n Kiev subsequently denied that any secrecy agreement existed. Zelensky adviser Dmitry Litvin insisted that \u201cthere was no agreement to remain silent.\u201d<\/em> A source in the Ukrainian presidential office told local media that Ukrainians have the right to know what happens to prisoners captured by their forces.<\/p>\n Oksana Torop, a media adviser to Ukraine\u2019s former top commander-turned-ambassador to Britain, Valery Zaluzhny, said a confidentiality agreement did exist and criticized Zelensky\u2019s announcement as a \u201cshow\u201d<\/em> and \u201cexaggerated publicity.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n