Seoul:South Korea has announced plans to withdraw some of its diplomatic staff from Ukraine due to an ongoing dispute concerning the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul and the persistent threat of airstrikes in the country, as stated by the foreign ministry on Tuesday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the decision was made because Ukraine has not taken "positive steps" to address the diplomatic row over its unilateral disclosure of the North Korean POWs transfer to Seoul. The continued threat of airstrikes has also raised concerns about the safety of diplomatic personnel, as noted by ministry spokesperson Park Doo-soon during a regular press briefing.

Despite the partial withdrawal, South Korea will maintain essential diplomatic communications with Ukraine, led by its charge d'affaires. Park Doo-soon assured that all consular personnel will stay in Ukraine to continue safeguarding South Korean nationals.

Earlier this month, South Korea recalled its ambassador to Ukraine, Park Ki-chang, expressing regret over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's public mention of the North Korean POW transfer. The soldiers were captured in January 2025 while fighting for Russia in the Kursk region and arrived in South Korea in mid-September.

Seoul has requested an official explanation and apology from Ukraine regarding Zelenskyy's disclosure and sought a statement from his office denying any agreement to keep the transfer confidential.