World

Seoul Threatens 'Additional Measures' Over Ukraine's Failure to Apologize for POW Leak

Is this a genuine dispute or is the South Korean president playing things up for a domestic audience?

9 hours ago·Updated 8 hours ago

Seoul Threatens 'Additional Measures' Over Ukraine's Failure to Apologize for POW Leak

Story

Above: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung delivers a speech at a military base in Gyeryong on Oct. 1, 2026. Image credit: Jeon Heon-Kyun/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

The Facts

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Friday threatened Ukraine with unspecified "additional measures" if it failed to apologize for disclosing that two North Korean prisoners of war fighting for Russia were transferred to Seoul despite a confidentiality agreement between the nations.
Lee Jae Myung on X
Reuters
BBC News
Lee's office had previously demanded an official explanation and apology from Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed the transfer during his U.N. General Assembly address last week. The latest remarks came after Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha gave an interview to the country's media on the subject on Thursday.
Reuters
EuroNews
Anadolu Agency
The Wall Street Journal
"I would not like to call it an incident," Sybiha said. "Let's put it this way: it is a diplomatic misunderstanding." He added that South Korea was an important ally and that he hoped for the situation to be resolved quickly.
RBC
The Straits Times
However, Lee did not take kindly to the remarks. In a post on X that linked to a Korean-language report of Sybiha's comments, he said: "When the president of the Republic of Korea, exercising the utmost courtesy, said it was regrettable, Ukraine denied that any such agreement existed, turning the head of state of another country into a liar."
Lee Jae Myung on X
Lee also appeared to take aim at Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Zelenskyy's office, who this week gave an interview that suggested that North Korea was learning from Russia's war and suggested it was a matter of time before it launched a war on its southern neighbor.
Lee Jae Myung on X
Censor.net
RBC
The South Korean leader said that instead of acknowledging the POW agreement, Ukraine was "praying for the outbreak of war on the Korean Peninsula." "If you continue to refuse to acknowledge the facts and issue a public apology, we will take additional measures," he said, adding it was a matter of honor for South Korea.
Lee Jae Myung on X

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

While Ukraine probably has more to lose if this diplomatic row continues, as Seoul provides Kyiv with humanitarian and financial assistance, neither side has anything to gain from a prolonged confrontation. Hopefully the sides are able to resolve their differences in the near term.

Reuters

Narrative B

The strong reaction from South Korea was likely more intended for a domestic audience as its people are already enraged with the government for its dovish approach to a landmine incident that killed troops, alongside its general handling of relations North Korea. However, the disparity of reactions is only likely to further enflame tensions.

EuroNews