Ukraine's MFA clears up confusion with South Korea regarding North Korean prisoners

MFA on the dispute with South Korea

According to Tykhyi, active work is continuing through closed diplomatic channels to resolve and turn the page on this incident.

The spokesperson noted that he would provide journalists with a general comment on the situation, aimed at preventing further escalation of the dispute.

Tykhyi recalled that in January 2025, the Defense Forces of Ukraine had captured two fighters from North Korean military units who had been participating in hostilities as part of the Russian Armed Forces.

Since then, information about these two prisoners has been widely disseminated by both Ukrainian and foreign media, including Korean outlets, the MFA spokesperson noted.

Tykhyi stated that since then, the Korean side, citing the fact that the Constitution of the Republic of Korea defined the entire Korean Peninsula as state territory, had actively appealed to the Ukrainian side through various channels, both closed and public, regarding the transfer of the individuals as its own citizens.

Transfer of prisoners to South Korea

Ukraine, in compliance with the norms and principles of current national legislation and international humanitarian law, carried out several legal and logistical measures necessary for the transfer of these prisoners of war to the Republic of Korea, Tykhyi noted.

This was done based on:

• The written consent of these individuals;
• The high level of bilateral relations between Ukraine and South Korea;
• A fundamental agreement between the heads of state.

The spokesperson said that they believed Ukraine had made a gesture of goodwill and a friendly step toward the Republic of Korea by positively responding to the request of its Korean partners to transfer the two individuals.

Difference in interpretation

Tykhyi noted that the reason for the exchange of critical public statements following the event was a difference in the interpretation of agreements regarding confidentiality regimes.

He clarified that since the beginning of the exchange of critical comments, which everyone had seen, non-public diplomatic work had been ongoing through closed channels to resolve the situation.

What needs to be done

The MFA believes that additional comments that could hinder this diplomatic regulation are currently untimely, from both the Ukrainian and Korean sides.

Diplomatic correspondence remained confidential. However, following the disclosure by South Korea, the Ukrainian side may also reveal some details, clarify them, and emphasize certain points, Tykhyi said.

The MFA spokesperson confirmed that Minister Andrii Sybiha had noted in his messages to his Korean counterpart that he regretted that the situation had reached the stage of exchanging critical comments.

He added that, in principle, there is a noticeable difference between what the Korean side said and what was actually communicated.

Tykhyi urged the media and journalists to rely on objective information, noting that the situation had indeed reached a stage where public comments were being exchanged, which served no one’s interests. He stressed that there was nothing more to it and nothing less.

Ukraine expects to resolve the dispute with South Korea over the transfer of two North Korean prisoner soldiers soon, noted Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha.

Furthermore, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung accused Ukraine of disclosing information regarding the two prisoners and their families, who remain in North Korea. Ukraine, in turn, stated that no non-disclosure agreement existed.