Seoul pulls embassy staff from Kyiv over North Korea prisoner disclosure

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 11:08 · Archive

South Korea is withdrawing additional embassy personnel from Ukraine after President Zelenskyy publicly disclosed the transfer of two captured North Korean soldiers.

South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced it will withdraw additional embassy personnel from Ukraine following what it describes as Kyiv's lack of 'constructive response' to a dispute over North Korean prisoners of war. Seoul had communicated its position to Ukraine through multiple channels but said it had not received a sufficient response.

The row began when President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed at the UN General Assembly earlier this month that Ukraine had transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea. The disclosure angered Seoul, which said the operation should have remained confidential to protect the soldiers' families in North Korea. South Korea recalled its ambassador from Kyiv in response and subsequently summoned the Ukrainian ambassador, threatening unspecified 'further measures'.

South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Ukraine had sent a message that 'included words of apology' but fell short of what Seoul expected. A charge d'affaires will remain in Kyiv to maintain diplomatic communication, along with all consular staff to protect South Korean nationals. Ukraine has insisted that 'diplomacy must prevail over emotions' and said it considered 'the situation resolved'.

How it is being reported

• South Korea to pull more embassy staff from Ukraine after POW rowEarlier this month, South Korea recalled its ambassador from Kyiv after Zelenskyy disclosed the prisoner transfer.Al Jazeera · 20 Oct, 10:26
• Seoul to pull embassy staff from Kyiv over North Korea prisoner disclosureThe announcement comes less than two weeks after South Korea said it was recalling its ambassador to Ukraine, deepening the diplomatic rift.The Japan Times · 20 Oct, 09:45

In this story: South Korea · Ukraine · Kyiv · Volodymyr Zelenskyy · North Korea · Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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