---
title: "South Korea Does Not Rule Out Total Severance of Diplomatic Ties with Ukraine Over North Korean POW Scandal"
description: "South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated that Seoul does not rule out a complete break in diplomatic relations with Ukraine if escalation surrounding the scandal over the transfer of two North Korean POWs continues."
date: 2026-10-28T06:23:07.555Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/south-korea-severance-diplomatic-ties-ukraine-north-korean-pows
tags: [south-korea, ukraine, diplomacy, north-korea-pow, cho-hen, zelensky, seoul-kyiv]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# South Korea Does Not Rule Out Total Severance of Diplomatic Ties with Ukraine Over North Korean POW Scandal

![South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun at parliamentary hearings amid the diplomatic crisis](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/28/yuzhnaya-koreya-razryv-dipotnosheniy-ukraina-plennye-kndr/yuzhnaya-koreya-razryv-dipotnosheniy-ukraina-plennye-kndr-1.webp)

## Key Points

- South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun raised the possibility of a complete severance of diplomatic ties with Ukraine if escalation continues
- Seoul recalled eight diplomats from Ukraine and previously recalled Ambassador Park Ki-chan
- The crisis began after Zelenskyy's UN General Assembly speech on September 23 regarding the transfer of two North Korean POWs
- The positions of the parties diverge: Seoul claims a confidentiality agreement was breached, while Kyiv disputes this characterization

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated during parliamentary hearings on October 28 that Seoul does not rule out the possibility of a complete break in diplomatic relations with Ukraine if the current escalation of disagreements between the two countries continues. "If the escalation continues, I believe such a possibility also exists," the head of the South Korean Foreign Ministry replied to a direct question about whether the current diplomatic crisis with Kyiv could escalate into a severance of ties. The statement came against the background of steps already taken by Seoul to reduce its diplomatic presence in Ukraine.

### Chronology of the Diplomatic Crisis

The dispute between Kyiv and Seoul escalated on September 23 when President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the UN General Assembly, publicly announced the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. In early October, Seoul recalled its ambassador to Kyiv, Park Ki-chan, and subsequently decided to reduce embassy staff. Just prior to Cho Hyun's statement, South Korea recalled another eight diplomats from Ukraine, marking the sharpest step in the current crisis.

### Seoul's Position: Breach of Confidentiality

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stated that the public disclosure of information regarding the transfer of prisoners of war violated a previously reached confidentiality agreement. Seoul explained that maintaining secrecy was necessary to protect the soldiers and their families remaining in North Korea. According to this logic, publicly announcing the transfer of two individuals could jeopardize the safety of other North Korean servicemen stationed in Ukraine and their close relatives in North Korea.

### Kyiv's Reaction

The Office of the President of Ukraine objected to classifying the incident as a violation of a confidentiality agreement. Kyiv disputes Seoul's very interpretation regarding the existence and content of a non-disclosure agreement. Thus, the parties disagree on whether there was a legally binding agreement to keep the transfer of prisoners of war secret and to what extent it was formulated.

### Context and Potential Consequences

The diplomatic incident between the two countries, which until September 2026 maintained constructive interaction within the anti-Russian coalition, has become one of the sharpest in the history of their relations. The threat of a complete break in diplomatic ties, voiced at the foreign minister level, underscores the seriousness with which Seoul views what it assesses as a breach of a confidential agreement. For Ukraine, the loss of the South Korean diplomatic channel in the midst of hostilities could have additional political and logistical consequences, although neither side has yet announced specific timelines or conditions for a potential normalization of contacts.

## Accounts differ

### Existence and nature of the confidentiality agreement

- **South Korean President Lee Jae-myung / Seoul:** The public disclosure of information regarding the transfer of prisoners of war violated the reached confidentiality agreement, which was necessary to protect North Korean soldiers and their families ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/pivdenna-koreya-dopustila-rozriv-dipvidnosin-1793167672.html))
- **Office of the President of Ukraine:** Objected to the qualification of the incident as a violation of a confidential agreement, disputing the existence or content of such an arrangement ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/pivdenna-koreya-dopustila-rozriv-dipvidnosin-1793167672.html))

*Where they agree:* The transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea took place; a diplomatic dispute between the countries exists; Seoul has recalled diplomats from Ukraine

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Южная Корея допустила разрыв дипотношений с Украиной из-за скандала с пленными КНДР](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/pivdenna-koreya-dopustila-rozriv-dipvidnosin-1793167672.html) - Primary source. Contains a direct quote from Cho Hyun, the timeline of diplomats' recalls, Lee Jae-myung's position, and the reaction of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
- [Южная Корея допустила полный разрыв дипотношений с Украиной](https://www.rosbalt.ru/news/2026-10-28/yuzhnaya-koreya-dopustila-polnyy-razryv-dipotnosheniy-s-ukrainoy-5718108) - Secondary source. Confirms the fact of Cho Hyun's statement at parliamentary hearings and the date of October 28, 2026.

## FAQ

### What exactly did South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun say?

During parliamentary hearings on October 28, 2026, Cho Hyun stated that he does not rule out the possibility of breaking diplomatic relations with Ukraine if the escalation of disagreements continues.

### What caused the diplomatic crisis between Seoul and Kyiv?

On September 23, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly announced at the UN General Assembly the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. Seoul considered this a violation of a confidentiality agreement.

### What steps has South Korea already taken?

In early October, Seoul recalled Ambassador Park Ki-chan from Kyiv and reduced embassy staff. Ahead of Cho Hyun's statement, another eight diplomats were recalled from Ukraine.

### How does Seoul explain the need for confidentiality?

South Korea stated that maintaining secrecy was necessary to protect the soldiers and their families remaining in North Korea.