Seoul demands apology after Zelenskyy’s UN speech breaches secrecy pact on North Korean POWs

Key points

• Zelenskyy revealed the transfer of two North Korean POWs to South Korea during his UN General Assembly address last week, stating they were 'not easy to capture alive.'
• South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed 'strong regret,' asserting that Seoul and Kyiv had agreed to keep the transfer confidential to protect the soldiers' relatives from collective punishment in North Korea.
• Seoul’s presidential office, via secretary Seong Ghi-hong, demanded an official explanation and apology, warning that the breach could harm bilateral trust and relations.
• Ukraine’s communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn denied the existence of a non-disclosure agreement, stating there was 'no such agreement' at the presidential level.
• South Korean lawmaker Yoo Yeong-ha claimed Seoul’s spy agency believes Zelenskyy disclosed the transfer to generate public support in South Korea for providing Ukraine with arms.
• The two soldiers were captured in Russia’s Kursk region in January 2025 and arrived in South Korea in mid-September; they are reported to be in good health.

Background

This dispute follows a period of heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula, including recent DMZ mine blasts attributed to North Korea and Seoul’s efforts to revive dialogue with Pyongyang. The controversy also intersects with broader geopolitical shifts, as North Korea continues to support Russia’s war effort in Ukraine with troops and equipment, while South Korea navigates its stance on arms transfers to Kyiv.

How outlets are covering it

The Independent and CNN emphasize the diplomatic fallout and Seoul’s demand for an apology, highlighting the breach of confidentiality as the core issue. Euronews focuses on the strategic motive, citing Seoul’s spy agency’s belief that Zelenskyy disclosed the transfer to pressure South Korea into providing weapons. The Financial Times provides a balanced view, noting Ukraine’s denial of the agreement and pointing to broader frictions, including Kyiv’s frustration over South Korea’s trade ties with Russia. All sources agree on the basic facts of the transfer and the public disclosure but differ on the interpretation of the confidentiality agreement and the underlying motives.

Why it matters

The dispute threatens to strain South Korea-Ukraine relations at a critical time, potentially complicating Kyiv’s requests for arms and humanitarian aid. It also highlights the risks of public disclosure in sensitive prisoner transfers, where the safety of defectors' families in North Korea is a primary concern. The incident may influence South Korea’s domestic politics, with opposition leaders criticizing President Lee Jae Myung for his conciliatory stance toward Pyongyang, and could affect future cooperation between Seoul and Kyiv in countering North Korea’s military partnership with Russia.

What to watch

Seoul is reviewing additional measures in response to the breach, while Ukraine’s embassy in Seoul has not responded to requests for comment. The outcome of the dispute could shape future diplomatic and military cooperation between the two countries, particularly regarding arms transfers and prisoner exchanges. The safety of the two POWs and their families in North Korea remains a key concern, and the incident may influence South Korea’s stance on engaging with Pyongyang.