South Korea recalls ambassador from Ukraine amid diplomatic dispute

South Korea has recalled its ambassador to Ukraine for consultations amid a diplomatic dispute over Kyiv’s disclosure that it had transferred two captured North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul, the foreign ministry said Thursday.

South Korea has recalled its ambassador to Ukraine for consultations amid a diplomatic dispute over Kyiv’s disclosure that it had transferred two captured North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul, the foreign ministry said Thursday.

The ministry said the government had decided to recall Ambassador Kim Hyung-tae to Seoul while seeking a “constructive settlement” of outstanding issues with Ukraine. It said diplomatic engagement between the two countries would continue.

Seoul did not rule out further negotiations with Kyiv to resolve the dispute, which centres on the transfer of the North Korean prisoners, according to the ministry.

The dispute escalated after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly disclosed that Kyiv had transferred two captured North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly.

South Korea said the disclosure violated the confidentiality of an agreement between the two countries. Ukraine, however, denied that the agreement contained such a confidentiality clause.

Following the disclosure, Seoul’s presidential office called for an official apology from Ukraine. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung also warned of consequences if Kyiv did not apologize.

Ukraine had not publicly responded to South Korea’s decision to recall its ambassador at the time of publication.