Kyiv is making all necessary efforts to swiftly resolve the emerging diplomatic misunderstanding with South Korea regarding the transfer of two North Korean service members. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized that Seoul remains a crucial and reliable partner for the Ukrainian state, with solid channels of cooperation established.
Diplomatic Misunderstanding Instead of Conflict
Commenting on the situation to the media, the Ukrainian minister chose to refrain from sharp formulations and the term «incident», describing the event as a working diplomatic misunderstanding. According to Sybiha, he maintains daily direct contact with his South Korean counterpart, holding intensive consultations to clear up all accumulated issues.
Background and Core of the Dispute
The tension arose following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s speech at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2025, where it was publicly announced that Ukraine had handed over two North Korean soldiers captured in the Kursk region in January 2025 to South Korea. Seoul had expected the operation to remain secret for the safety of the soldiers' families, while the Ukrainian side stated there were no written confidentiality agreements.
Contradictory Data
While official Kyiv insists on the absence of strict non-disclosure memorandums, South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs holds a different position. On September 28, 2025, South Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister summoned the Ukrainian diplomat, stating that the disclosure undermined mutual trust and demanding official explanations and apologies.
Prospects for Bilateral Cooperation
Despite current frictions and the diplomat summon, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry remains optimistic and expects positive dynamics. Kyiv is interested in continuing a constructive dialogue and achieving concrete results in cooperation with South Korea.
