Seoul / Kyiv — September 28, 2026
South Korea's presidential office has demanded an official explanation and apology from Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of publicly disclosing the transfer of two captured North Korean soldiers to Seoul and then denying that the two sides had agreed to keep it confidential.
What Happened
On September 23, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the UN General Assembly that Ukraine had sent two North Korean soldiers to South Korea, adding that they were not easy to capture alive. Hours later, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung wrote on X that he did not know why Ukraine had broken the agreement and made the matter public, calling it very disappointing.
Seoul's Account
In a statement released Sunday (Monday in Seoul), presidential spokesman Seong Ghi-hong said Ukraine had repeatedly discussed the transfer with Seoul through various channels and had itself requested secrecy. According to Seong, Kyiv feared that going public could spark criticism at home that Ukraine had given up a chance to swap the soldiers for Ukrainian prisoners.
Seong said South Korea agreed to keep the transfer confidential because of security, diplomatic and humanitarian concerns, including the safety of the prisoners and their families. He said Ukraine disclosed the transfer in Zelensky's UN speech without sufficient prior consultation, then falsely claimed no confidentiality agreement existed, a denial he said seriously damaged trust between the two governments. Seoul is considering additional measures if necessary, but has not said what they might be.
Kyiv's Response
Zelensky's aide Dmytro Lytvyn said Ukraine is "an open country" and that it would have been strange to hand over the soldiers in secret. He said that out of a long and detailed story, Ukraine reported only the bare fact that the two men were sent to South Korea. Ukraine's embassy in Seoul did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
The Two Soldiers
Ukraine captured the two men in Russia's Kursk region in January 2025. They were the first North Korean soldiers captured alive since Pyongyang sent troops to help Russia in 2024. A South Korean lawmaker said earlier that the pair wanted to live a "normal life" in the South. Under South Korea's constitution, all Koreans, including those living in the North, are considered citizens.
Why It Matters
Seoul had declined to confirm the soldiers' arrival, citing concerns for their safety and that of family members still in North Korea. The presidential office has said that bringing North Korean prisoners to the South is highly sensitive and could affect diplomacy, security and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Whether the row deepens will depend on whether Kyiv offers the explanation Seoul is asking for.
This is a developing story. Seoul says a confidentiality agreement existed; Kyiv has denied it. Neither account has been independently verified.