Ukraine and Zelenskyy in a bind: "Deep regret, false declaration"

South Korea sharply criticized Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly revealed the transfer of two North Korean soldiers, violating an agreed confidentiality agreement. The presidential office in Seoul expressed deep regret over the unilateral disclosure and Ukraine's denial of the agreement's existence, stating that it damaged trust between the countries.

South Korea sharply criticized Ukraine following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's public disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean soldiers, in violation of an agreed confidentiality agreement. The presidential office in Seoul, through Senior Secretary for Public Relations Song Gi-hong, expressed deep regret over the unilateral disclosure and Ukraine's denial of the agreement's existence. Song noted that Ukraine repeatedly discussed the prisoner transfer with Seoul through various channels and requested confidentiality, and that the denial severely damaged trust between the two governments and could harm bilateral relations. South Korea agreed to keep the transfer secret for security, diplomatic, and humanitarian reasons. Zelenskyy revealed the transfer during his speech at the UN General Assembly last week, without sufficient prior consultation with Seoul. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung wrote on social media that it would have been appropriate not to disclose the transfer. Ukraine captured the two soldiers in Russia's Kursk region in January 2025, the first captured alive since North Korea entered the war in 2024. The transfer occurs against the backdrop of Seoul's support for dialogue efforts with North Korea and US President Donald Trump's willingness to resume contacts with Pyongyang.