South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it will withdraw additional embassy personnel from Ukraine, citing Kyiv’s lack of a “constructive response” in a dispute over North Korean prisoners of war (POWs). Ministry spokesperson Park Doo-soon made the announcement on Tuesday.
Park said Seoul had conveyed its position to Kyiv through multiple channels but had not received a sufficient response. He did not say how many staff members would leave.
Dispute over two captured North Korean soldiers
The row began earlier this month, when South Korea recalled its ambassador from Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had told the United Nations General Assembly that Ukraine transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to the South. Seoul said the operation should have remained confidential to protect the soldiers’ families in North Korea.
Seoul had earlier summoned the Ukrainian ambassador and threatened unspecified “further measures”. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Ukraine’s message included “words of apology”, but that it fell short of “the level” Seoul had in mind.
Staffing arrangements and Ukraine’s response
A charge d’affaires will remain in Kyiv to maintain diplomatic communication, along with all consular staff to protect South Korean nationals. Park said persistent threats of air strikes across Ukraine had made it difficult to ensure staff safety.
Park said the measure was necessary to facilitate an amicable resolution and restore trust between the two countries. Ukraine has insisted that “diplomacy must prevail over emotions” and said Kyiv considers “the situation resolved”.
