---
title: "South Korea partially evacuates aid agency staff from Kyiv amid security threats"
description: "South Korea's KOICA is evacuating one of its two aid workers from Kyiv due to shelling and ongoing political tensions."
date: 2026-10-23T03:50:15.340Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/south-korea-evacuating-aid-worker-from-kyiv
tags: [south-korea, ukraine, koica, kyiv, diplomacy]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# South Korea partially evacuates aid agency staff from Kyiv amid security threats

![South Korean flag fluttering in the wind against a marine landscape and a distant rocky island](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/23/yuzhnaya-koreya-evakuiruet-sotrudnika-iz-kieva/yuzhnaya-koreya-evakuiruet-sotrudnika-iz-kieva-1.webp)

## Key Points

- KOICA withdraws one of two staff members from Kyiv
- The decision is prompted by security threats and shelling
- The second agency worker remains stationed in Kyiv
- The move occurs against the backdrop of a dispute over North Korean prisoners

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has decided to bring home one of its two staff members from the Kyiv office due to mounting security risks. The second employee will remain in the Ukrainian capital to continue their work.

### Evacuation amid security concerns

The decision to relocate the staff member followed a security meeting held by the agency's leadership. While officials emphasized that the move is driven by the practical need to protect personnel amid ongoing shelling, the partial withdrawal coincides with a broader diplomatic rift between Seoul and Kyiv.

### Background of the diplomatic friction

Bilateral relations have experienced tension following an announcement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the UN General Assembly in September regarding the transfer of two North Korean soldiers captured in the Kursk region in January 2025. Seoul maintains that this public disclosure violated confidentiality agreements designed to protect the soldiers and their families.

### Stance of the foreign ministries

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated that Ukraine's explanations did not meet Seoul's expectations, prompting discussions on potential countermeasures, including recalling the ambassador. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi explained that the misunderstanding arose from differing interpretations of confidentiality terms.

### Future outlook for bilateral ties

The partial reduction of aid agency personnel in Kyiv highlights the ongoing strain in diplomatic channels. Future developments will depend on the ability of both nations to resolve their disagreements through continued diplomatic dialogue.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Южная Корея вывозит из Киева сотрудника агентства помощи из-за обстрелов](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/pivdenna-koreya-vivozit-kieva-spivrobitnika-1792727257.html) - The primary source confirms the evacuation of one KOICA worker from Kyiv due to security threats and details the background regarding North Korean POWs.

## FAQ

### Why is South Korea evacuating a staff member from Kyiv?

The decision was made due to security threats and shelling following a security review by KOICA leadership.

### How many agency employees remain in Kyiv?

One employee remains in Kyiv while the other is being returned to South Korea.

### What caused the friction between Kyiv and Seoul?

Seoul claims Ukraine violated confidentiality agreements by publicly disclosing the transfer of captured North Korean soldiers.