South Korea has decided to recall a deputy director from its Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Ukraine following recent tensions regarding North Korean prisoners of war. This decision was made during a security committee meeting held by the agency on October 22.
The only remaining representative in Ukraine is the head of KOICA’s local office, Lee Tek Hyun. Reports indicate that this reduction in personnel may lead to poor management of official development assistance (ODA) projects in Ukraine, potentially causing delays in their implementation.
The decision to withdraw the KOICA official came after a scandal involving the North Korean soldiers. On September 23, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced at the UN General Assembly that Ukraine had handed over two captured North Korean soldiers to Seoul, who were taken prisoner in Russia’s Kursk region in 2025. This revelation was viewed by South Korea as a breach of confidentiality agreements intended to protect the soldiers and their families back in North Korea.
On October 8, South Korea also recalled its ambassador from Ukraine in response to the unfolding situation. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated in an interview published on October 12 that the dispute arose from differing interpretations of confidentiality agreements during the transfer of the prisoners. He emphasized that Ukraine fully met its obligations and considers the matter closed.
Furthermore, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, Georgiy Tikhiy, has expressed that Kyiv remains open to restoring constructive dialogue with Seoul, despite the time it may take.
