South Korea demands Ukraine explain disclosure of North Korean POW transfer
Seoul demanded an explanation and formal apology after Ukraine publicly disclosed the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. Kyiv disputes that a non-disclosure agreement existed.
By DoomRadar · Published on DoomRadar . Updated .
Based on two sources with available article excerpts. Source-linked claims are not independent confirmation.
Event date: On September 27, 2026, South Korea’s presidential office demanded an official explanation and apology from Ukraine. [1][2]
What happened
South Korea’s presidential office said Ukraine had disclosed the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war unilaterally and then falsely denied that the two sides had agreed to keep it confidential. [1][2]
References for this detail (2)
- Prisonniers de guerre nord-coréens : pourquoi Séoul demande des excuses à l'Ukrainelexpress.fr · Article published: Sep 28, 2026, 6:47 AM UTC
- Blue House demands formal apology from Kyiv over POW transfer disclosurehani.co.kr · Recorded source date: Sep 28, 2026, 7:16 AM UTC
The dispute followed President Volodymyr Zelensky’s disclosure at the United Nations that Ukraine had sent South Korea two North Korean soldiers captured while fighting for Russia against Ukraine. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- Prisonniers de guerre nord-coréens : pourquoi Séoul demande des excuses à l'Ukrainelexpress.fr · Article published: Sep 28, 2026, 6:47 AM UTC
South Korean officials said Kyiv had discussed the transfer with Seoul through several channels and requested secrecy because public disclosure could prompt domestic criticism and questions about exchanging the soldiers for Ukrainian prisoners. [2][1]
References for this detail (2)
- Prisonniers de guerre nord-coréens : pourquoi Séoul demande des excuses à l'Ukrainelexpress.fr · Article published: Sep 28, 2026, 6:47 AM UTC
- Blue House demands formal apology from Kyiv over POW transfer disclosurehani.co.kr · Recorded source date: Sep 28, 2026, 7:16 AM UTC
Zelensky aide Dmytro Lytvyn said there had been no agreement not to disclose the terms, directly conflicting with Seoul’s claim that both sides accepted non-disclosure during the transfer process. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- Blue House demands formal apology from Kyiv over POW transfer disclosurehani.co.kr · Recorded source date: Sep 28, 2026, 7:16 AM UTC
The two North Koreans were captured in Russia’s Kursk region in January 2025 and were described as the first North Korean soldiers captured alive since Pyongyang joined Russia’s war effort in 2024. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- Prisonniers de guerre nord-coréens : pourquoi Séoul demande des excuses à l'Ukrainelexpress.fr · Article published: Sep 28, 2026, 6:47 AM UTC
Context from the sources
Seoul had previously declined to confirm that the soldiers had arrived in South Korea, citing concerns about their safety and the safety of related personnel. [1]
Explore the sources and reporting timeline
2 source links · 2 domains
These counts describe the references, not independent confirmations. Different outlets can repeat the same original report.
Source timeline
Oldest to newest among the available source dates, not a chronology of the incident. Article publication dates come from the source; other recorded dates may reflect when a link was found.
- [1] Prisonniers de guerre nord-coréens : pourquoi Séoul demande des excuses à l'Ukrainelexpress.frReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2, detail 3, detail 5
- [2] Blue House demands formal apology from Kyiv over POW transfer disclosurehani.co.krReferenced for: detail 1, detail 3, detail 4
Questions answered by the reporting
What this could mean for you
Future handling of sensitive prisoners could become more difficult.
Seoul says the public disclosure created safety, family-security and national-security concerns, while Kyiv disputes the confidentiality arrangement.
Reported basis: [2][1] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: The disagreement remains unresolved or similar transfers require cooperation between the governments.
Possible time frame: weeks, if those conditions hold.
Possible consequences, not a forecast. Their relevance depends on your location and the conditions above.
For your country
Choose a country to check how this event could affect you.
What changes the outlook
Risk increases if…
Ukraine’s refusal to provide the requested explanation or apology could prolong the dispute.
Further public disagreement over the confidentiality arrangement could weaken trust between Seoul and Kyiv.
Pressure eases if…
A mutually accepted account of the confidentiality terms could resolve the immediate dispute.
A formal explanation addressing the security concerns cited by Seoul could reduce diplomatic friction.
Still unclear
Whether Ukraine will issue the formal explanation or apology requested by Seoul is unclear.
The account of whether a binding non-disclosure agreement existed remains disputed.
Market implications
Market impact
Sources (2)
References for the reported details. Separate links do not necessarily mean independent confirmation.
Available excerpt
Volodymyr Zelensky en a-t-il trop dit ? Oui, selon Séoul. La présidence sud-coréenne a exigé ce dimanche 27 septembre "une explication et des excuses officielles"…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hae-kyung arrive in Korea on Sept. 27, 2026, after deplaning from the presidential jet at…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
AI-assisted analysis · . Based on linked headlines and available excerpts. Methodology · Report an error.