Ukraine’s foreign ministry has expressed its readiness to restore diplomatic communication with South Korea after the latter recalled its ambassador amid rising tensions. This decision follows a recent controversy concerning the sharing of sensitive details regarding the transfer of North Korean prisoners.
According to the ministry’s spokesperson, a meeting was held this week where the South Korean ambassador was invited to discuss Ukraine’s position and explore potential solutions. “We have conveyed the stance of the Ukrainian side, emphasizing that diplomacy should prevail over emotions,” the spokesperson stated.
On October 8, it was reported that South Korea decided to withdraw its ambassador from Ukraine after a public exchange of statements between the two nations. This came in response to the Ukrainian government’s announcement that it had transferred two North Korean military personnel to South Korea, an action that has sparked criticism from South Korean authorities.
Further complicating relations, a report from The Guardian indicated that between July and August 2026, over 176,000 tons of fuel, primarily diesel, were shipped from South Korean ports to Russia, some of which was allegedly transported by sanctioned tankers. The Ukrainian foreign ministry has confirmed these allegations, while South Korea has denied any wrongdoing, urging Ukraine to refrain from misrepresenting its policies without adequate fact-checking.
Context
- On September 23, during a speech at the UN General Assembly in New York, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the transfer of two North Korean prisoners to South Korea.
- South Korea accused Zelensky on September 25 of disclosing information about the prisoners. President Yoon Suk-yeol expressed disappointment, stating that it was unclear what prompted Ukraine to breach confidentiality regarding the prisoners’ transfer.
- Initially, the Ukrainian Office of the President claimed no confidentiality agreement existed but later clarified that it was inappropriate to conceal the transfer of captured individuals.
- On September 27, the South Korean administration issued a statement demanding explanations and apologies from Ukraine regarding the incident.
- The two North Korean prisoners were captured by Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region in 2025, leading to protracted discussions about their potential transfer to South Korea.
