[Edaily Reporter Hwang Byeong Seo ] President Lee Jae-myung once again demanded that Ukraine acknowledge the confidential agreement and issue a public apology for unilaterally disclosing the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea, warning that he would take further measures if Ukraine refuses. In particular, he strongly criticized Ukraine for denying the confidential agreement and then raising the possibility of military conflict between North and South Korea, stating, “I express serious regret toward Ukraine, which is attempting to provoke a war on the Korean Peninsula.” As the dispute over the truth regarding the repatriation of North Korean POWs between South Korea and Ukraine escalates into a diplomatic conflict between the two nations, President Lee has personally raised the stakes by invoking “national prestige.”

President Lee posted on X (formerly Twitter) that day, “Regarding the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war, the Ukrainian side requested confidentiality, and we agreed to keep it confidential, but they unilaterally made it public,” he said. “When the President of the Republic of Korea expressed regret with the utmost courtesy, they claimed there was no such agreement and labeled the head of state of the other country a liar. When we asked them to acknowledge the agreement and apologize, they instead spoke of an imminent military clash between the North and South. I express serious regret toward Ukraine, which is seeking to provoke a war on the Korean Peninsula.” He continued, “If they continue to refuse to acknowledge the facts and issue a public apology, we will take further measures,” emphasizing, “This is a matter concerning the dignity of the South Korean people and the nation, and we cannot overlook it.”

President Lee shared an article citing remarks by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, who said, “South Korea is important… I sincerely hope this diplomatic misunderstanding can be resolved.”

According to local media outlets such as RBC Ukraine, Minister Sybih responded to a reporter’s question at an event by saying, “I don’t want to call this an ‘incident.’ Let’s just consider it a diplomatic misunderstanding.” Minister Sybiha continued, “I sincerely hope this situation will be resolved very soon, and we are working toward that end,” adding, “South Korea is an important country to us.” He further stated, “I strongly hope that the momentum, continuity, and concrete results we are genuinely building together with South Korea will continue.”

This issue arose after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on the 23rd of last month (local time) at the UN General Assembly in New York that two North Korean prisoners of war, who had been captured by the Ukrainian military, had recently been sent to South Korea. They were captured in the Kursk region of Russia in January of last year, and their existence became known when President Zelenskyy disclosed the capture via social media at the time.

In response to President Zelenskyy’s remarks, President Lee took to X (formerly Twitter) on the 24th of last month to counter that Ukraine had violated a confidential agreement by publicly disclosing the repatriation of the prisoners. President Lee stated, “The issue of repatriating North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea is a highly sensitive matter that significantly impacts diplomacy, national security, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula,” adding, “I do not know what circumstances led the Ukrainian side to violate the confidential agreement and make the matter public, but I find it deeply regrettable.”

In response, the Ukrainian side refuted this claim again on the 25th of last month, asserting that no confidential agreement had existed. Local Ukrainian media, citing a source from the Office of the President, reported that “Ukraine did not promise to keep this a secret.” While the Blue House did not issue a direct rebuttal, it stated, “It is our government’s position to respond in accordance with consistent principles based on the wishes of the parties involved, as well as domestic and international legal standards and humanitarian principles.”

Subsequently, on the 27th of last month, the Blue House issued a written briefing through Senior Secretary for Public Relations and Communication Seong Ki-hong, stating, “We express strong regret over the false press release and demand an official explanation and apology,” adding, “We are reviewing additional necessary measures regarding this matter.”

On the 28th of last month, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Beshkin, the Ukrainian Chargé d’Affaires in South Korea, to the ministry to convey the government’s stern stance regarding the repatriation of the North Korean POWs. Park Yoon-ju, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, pointed out that despite a clear, confidential bilateral agreement between the two countries regarding the repatriation of the North Korean POWs, the Ukrainian side had unilaterally and unexpectedly disclosed the POWs’ transfer to South Korea at the UN General Assembly without sufficient prior explanation or specific consultation.

In response, Chargé d’Affaires Beshkin reportedly stated that he had listened carefully to the South Korean government’s position and would report it accurately to his home country.