South Korea warns of 'further measures' if Ukraine refuses public apology over POW transfer disclosure

The POWs were captured by Ukrainian forces early last year after being deployed alongside thousands of North Korean troops to support Russia's war against Ukraine.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said on Friday that Seoul would take "further measures" if Ukraine refuses to publicly apologise over what he called its unilateral disclosure of North Korean POWs being sent to South Korea.

Seoul has taken a hard stance on Ukraine disclosing the transfer of two soldiers captured fighting for Russia, warning that their families could be targeted by Pyongyang.

North Korea is known to retaliate against defectors and their families.

Both POWs are identifiable as they had been photographed by South Korean media before their arrival to the South.

The POWs were captured by Ukrainian forces early last year after being deployed alongside thousands of North Korean troops to support Russia's war against Ukraine, in exchange for economic and military assistance to Pyongyang.

Hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed last week the transfer in remarks at the United Nations, Lee expressed his dismay, with Seoul claiming confidentiality was key to protecting the POWs' relatives.

Seoul later demanded an official apology from Ukraine, saying that both sides had reached a "clear understanding" during consultations to keep the transfer confidential.

本文の著作権はEuronewsにあります。