Seoul Summons Ukraine Envoy Over North Korean POW Transfer

South Korea has summoned Ukraine's acting ambassador after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the transfer of two captured North Korean soldiers to Seoul, sparking a diplomatic row.

According to Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo, Seoul expressed disappointment over Zelensky's disclosure of the transfer. This was made at the UN General Assembly last Wednesday. The two North Koreans, who were among thousands of soldiers supporting Russia in the Ukraine war, had earlier expressed a desire to be sent to South Korea.

Ukraine's forces captured two injured North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk Oblast in early 2025. Following over a year of negotiations between Seoul and Kyiv, Zelensky announced the transfer of the soldiers, stating they had not been "easy to capture alive".

Seoul confirmed the news but sharply criticised Zelensky for allegedly breaching an agreement to keep the transfer confidential. The South Korean opposition accused President Lee Jae Myung of covering up the transfer to maintain good relations with Pyongyang.

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Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Zelensky, stated that South Korea's inaction in the face of North Korea's involvement in the Ukraine war would be seen as unacceptable. Russia's foreign ministry warned that it would have "no choice but to retaliate" if South Korea provided Ukraine with arms.

Seoul's diplomatic efforts to maintain harmony with its neighbours. Who often find themselves at odds with its key ally, the US, have been ongoing for decades. Since the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, the city-state has actively sought to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties with Russia, which shares a border with North Korea.

Seoul has consistently demonstrated its support for Ukraine. Dating back to Russia's invasion in 2022, with the city offering humanitarian aid and diplomatic backing. However, South Korea has maintained its long-standing stance on not supplying lethal arms to countries embroiled in conflict.

Seoul has announced a $100 million assistance package to Ukraine. Part of a broader effort to support the country's energy infrastructure from Russian drone and missile attacks.

Seoul's decision to accept the North Korean soldiers has raised questions about the city-state's ability to balance its relationships with its neighbours. The move has also sparked concerns about the potential consequences of North Korea's involvement in the Ukraine war.

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Experts say that South Korea's actions in this matter will have significant implications for the region. Particularly in terms of its relationships with Russia and North Korea. The move is also likely to have implications for Ukraine's efforts to secure support from its allies in the face of ongoing conflict.

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how South Korea's decision to accept the North Korean soldiers will impact the region's dynamics. One thing is certain, however: the transfer of the soldiers has sparked a diplomatic row that is likely to have far-reaching consequences.

Seoul's diplomatic efforts to navigate this complex situation will be closely watched by regional and international observers.