Relations between South Korea and Ukraine have deteriorated significantly after Seoul accused Kyiv of violating a confidentiality agreement concerning the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war. In addition to the alleged breach, South Korean officials stated that Ukraine subsequently denied the existence of any non-disclosure pact, prompting demands for a formal apology.
The diplomatic friction intensified last week when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly announced the transfer of the soldiers during an address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Zelenskyy noted that the captives were difficult to take alive. Shortly thereafter, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed his displeasure on social media, stating, “I do not know why the Ukrainian side broke the agreement and made the matter public, but it is very disappointing.”
Both sides denying the pact existed is messy. Hope they can patch this up before it impacts aid.
Does this affect North Korea’s military support for Russia? The secrecy clause seems vital for intelligence purposes.
That comment about them being hard to take alive is… unfortunate. Diplomatic fallout is inevitable here.