South Korea threatens Kyiv with measures after the North Korean prisoners scandal / "If you do not publicly apologize, we will take other measures”

The disclosure by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, from the rostrum of the United Nations, of the transfer of prisoners from Ukraine to South Korea has sparked a diplomatic dispute between Kyiv and Seoul. South Korean authorities claim that Ukraine violated a confidentiality agreement and are demanding an official apology.

The transfer had been announced by Zelensky the previous week, but South Korea reportedly wanted the information to remain secret. On Sunday, the South Korean presidency publicly requested an apology from Kyiv, and on Monday summoned the Ukrainian diplomatic representative in Seoul to express its “deep concern”.

South Korean President Lee subsequently warned that if Ukraine did not acknowledge the facts and apologize, Seoul would take further measures. He accused Kyiv of making him appear to be a “liar” and said that the situation affects “the dignity of the Republic of Korea and its people”.

“If the refusal to acknowledge the facts and offer a public apology continues, we will take further measures,” Lee said in a post on X.