New York:The South Korean and Ukrainian foreign ministers are currently engaged in discussions regarding South Korea's request for an apology from Ukraine. This follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to Seoul, which South Korea claims violated an agreement for confidentiality.
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea has requested an official explanation and apology after President Zelenskyy disclosed the transfer at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, alongside a statement from his office denying any confidentiality agreement. A South Korean foreign ministry official emphasized that the agreement was meant to protect the soldiers and their families, who remain in North Korea.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, are in close communication to determine how Ukraine should respond. The discussions include the tone, content, and method of the potential message from Ukraine. The official noted that Ukraine's current circumstances, such as its conflict with Russia and diplomatic considerations, would be factored into the message.
The South Korean government aims to maintain a good relationship with Ukraine while handling the issue appropriately. President Lee Jae Myung accused Ukraine of making him appear dishonest by denying the confidentiality agreement and warned of further actions if an apology is not issued. Lee expressed regret over Ukraine's actions, suggesting they might be hoping for a conflict on the Korean Peninsula.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's presidential office, recently commented on North Korea's involvement in regional conflicts, linking it to the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian news outlet RBC-Ukraine reported that Andrii Sybiha described the issue as a "diplomatic misunderstanding" and hoped for a quick resolution, emphasizing the importance of South Korea to Ukraine. Sybiha also expressed a desire for ongoing cooperation with South Korea to yield positive results.