Key facts
- Ukraine announced on Sept. 23, 2026, that two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) were sent to South Korea.
- South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stated that Ukraine broke a non-disclosure agreement regarding the announcement.
- South Korea's Foreign Ministry summoned Ukraine's envoy on Sept. 28, 2026, to protest the disclosure.
- The POWs were captured by Ukrainian forces in Russia's western Kursk Oblast in January 2025.
- Seoul is concerned about potential security and diplomatic ramifications for the Korean Peninsula.
- Ukraine has requested air defense systems from South Korea.
Ukraine's announcement on September 23, 2026, that two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) captured by its forces had been sent to South Korea has led to a diplomatic rift with Seoul. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stated that Kyiv breached a non-disclosure agreement concerning the transfer, a claim denied by Zelensky's advisor, Dmytro Lytvyn. South Korea's Foreign Ministry summoned Ukraine's envoy on September 28, 2026, to lodge a formal protest, citing potential security and diplomatic ramifications for the Korean Peninsula and risks to the POWs' families.
The two North Korean soldiers were captured in January 2025 during fighting in Russia's western Kursk Oblast. They were reportedly among thousands dispatched by North Korea to support Russian forces. Both soldiers had expressed a desire to defect to South Korea, and an agreement was reportedly reached in July between Ukrainian and South Korean leaders to facilitate their transfer in accordance with humanitarian principles. However, Seoul had maintained secrecy due to concerns about potential repression of the defectors' families by the North Korean regime.
South Korea's government blasted Ukraine's denial of the non-disclosure agreement as a "falsehood" that undermines trust. The incident adds to a series of diplomatic missteps by Ukraine, including a recent dispute with Hungary over a regional forum and a clash with Poland over the naming of a military unit. For Ukraine, the strained relationship with South Korea is particularly concerning as it seeks to secure advanced weapons, such as air defense systems, to counter Russian aggression. South Korea is a significant arms exporter, and its military operates Patriot air defense systems, which are in high demand globally.