Key facts
- South Korea will continue aid to Ukraine despite a dispute over North Korean POWs.
- Seoul recalled its ambassador to Ukraine over the incident.
- Ukraine transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to Seoul.
- Kyiv claims no non-disclosure agreement was in place for the transfer.
South Korea will continue its support for Ukraine, a foreign ministry official stated on Thursday, despite a diplomatic dispute arising from the transfer of two captured North Korean soldiers to Seoul. The official emphasized that Seoul would manage its aid to Ukraine independently of the disagreement and would continue bilateral discussions to address unresolved matters. The row escalated after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the transfer of the two North Koreans, who had been supporting Russia in the war, to South Korea. Zelensky's office maintains there was no non-disclosure agreement regarding the transfer, a claim disputed by Seoul, which stated the announcement damaged trust between the two nations. South Korea has recalled its ambassador to Ukraine as a result of the diplomatic spat.