South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun announced on Tuesday, October 27, during a parliamentary review of the foreign ministry's work, that Seoul has recalled eight diplomatic staff members from Ukraine. According to him, the decision was made amid a lack of progress in resolving the dispute with Kyiv, which flared up around the disclosure of information regarding the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war.

Course of the Diplomatic Dispute

In early October, South Korea already recalled its ambassador to Kyiv, Park Ki-chan, and subsequently decided to reduce embassy personnel. Among the reasons for these steps, Cho Hyun cited the diplomatic scandal and the constant threat of Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian territory. At the same time, he emphasized that the core staff of the embassy remains in place and continues its work, including protecting South Korean citizens residing in Ukraine.

How the Conflict Began

The diplomatic dispute between Kyiv and Seoul escalated on September 23 when President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the UN General Assembly, announced the transfer of two North Korean POWs to South Korea. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stated that the disclosure of this information violated a confidentiality agreement. Seoul explained that keeping the matter secret was necessary to protect soldiers remaining in North Korea and their families.

Kyiv’s Position

In turn, the Office of the President of Ukraine objected, pointing to the existing agreement to keep the case confidential. Thus, both sides cite confidentiality terms, yet they differ in assessing how exactly they were breached and who bears responsibility for the public disclosure of information.

Possible Consequences

Cho Hyun did not rule out that the dispute could escalate into a more serious conflict and damage diplomatic relations between the two countries if tensions continue to mount. At the same time, he stressed that South Korea's support for Ukraine remains unchanged: Seoul continues to participate in conferences on Ukraine’s recovery, provide humanitarian aid, and contribute to international efforts to end the war.