Row between Ukraine, South Korea mounts over North Korean POWs
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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (C) arrives for the 78th Armed Forces Day at a military base in Gyeryong on October 1, 2026. [AFP]
South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung has expressed anger at Ukraine over comments by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a speech at the UN which appeared to reveal a secret deal by which Kyiv would transfer North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul.
In a social media post on Friday, Lee accused Ukraine of undermining him and warned that Zelenskyy’s remarks about an imminent military clash between North and South Korea amounted to invoking the risk of war on the Korean Peninsula.
The diplomatic row pits two US-aligned states with powerful militaries against each other, potentially complicating US efforts to shore up a united global front to contain Russia, China and North Korea.
The South Korean president also expressed regret over Ukraine’s response and called on Kyiv to acknowledge the agreement and apologise.
“This is a matter concerning the honor of the Republic of Korea’s people and nation, we cannot overlook it,” Lee said.
South Korean Lawmaker Yu Yong-weon explains pictures, showing two North Korean POWs who were recently transferred from Ukraine to South Korea. Face of POWs are blurred due to security reason by the source. [File: Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters]
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