Seoul Summons Ukraine Envoy Over Leaked North Korean POW Transfer

South Korea summoned Ukraine's ambassador on Monday in protest over President Volodymyr Zelensky's public disclosure that two captured North Korean soldiers had been transferred to South Korea. Seoul had intended the prisoner transfer to remain confidential, and the revelation has sparked a diplomatic row between the two countries.

Last week, Zelensky revealed that Ukraine had sent the two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea, a move that South Korean officials say was supposed to be kept secret. The prisoners were reportedly captured while fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. South Korea, which has provided humanitarian and economic aid to Ukraine but not lethal weapons, has been cautious about its public stance on North Korean involvement in the war.

The diplomatic protest underscores the sensitivity of North Korean prisoners of war and could strain Ukraine's relationship with South Korea, a key Asian partner. Seoul's summons of the Ukrainian envoy signals displeasure with Kyiv's handling of the matter, and it remains unclear whether the incident will affect future cooperation. Global observers are watching for any impact on international efforts to support Ukraine and address North Korea's role in the conflict.