South Korea's Lee criticizes Zelensky over disclosure of North Korean POW transfer
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South Korean President Lee Jae-myung criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for publicly revealing the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul. Zelensky announced the transfer during his speech at the UN General Assembly, prompting Lee to call the disclosure 'regrettable' and a breach of a confidentiality agreement. The Ukrainian presidential office said Kyiv only revealed the fact of the transfer without disclosing process details.
Key Facts
- South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said Ukraine violated a confidentiality agreement by disclosing the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the transfer during his speech at the UN General Assembly in New York.
- The two North Korean soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces in January 2025 in the Kursk region.
- South Korean opposition parties criticized the decision to keep the transfer agreement confidential.
Confidentiality Breach
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stated that Seoul and Kyiv had agreed not to disclose the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war. Lee called Ukraine's decision to reveal the information 'regrettable' and said it violated the non-disclosure agreement. He explained that South Korean authorities had deliberately not announced the prisoners' arrival because publicity could create additional risks, including for the soldiers themselves and their families in North Korea. Lee said the matter concerns not only bilateral relations but also diplomacy, national security, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
Ukrainian Response
The Ukrainian presidential office responded that Kyiv only disclosed the fact of the transfer of two North Koreans without revealing details of the process. The Ukrainian side also stated that completely concealing such a transfer would have been strange. Zelensky's administration confirmed that the transfer of the two North Korean prisoners to South Korea was carried out within the framework of direct dialogue with Seoul.
Prisoners' Background
The two North Korean servicemen were captured by Ukrainian forces in January 2025 in the Kursk region. They later expressed a desire to move to South Korea, after which Seoul and Kyiv discussed their transfer. South Korean opposition parties criticized the decision to make the agreement confidential.
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