Seoul received an apology from Kyiv for disclosing information about the transfer of prisoners of war, but still promises to take measures
Because they did not meet expectations.
North Korean servicemen captured by Ukraine. Photo: press service of Volodymyr Zelenskyy
South Korea received an apology from Ukraine for disclosing information about the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul, but they did not meet the South Korean side's expectations, stated the country's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, writes the BBC.
The messages I received [from the head of Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha] contained apologies. But they do not meet the level we expected, so we intend to take resolute measures," Yonhap news agency quoted Cho Hyun as saying.
According to the minister, the government is considering various options for further action, including recalling South Korea's ambassador to Ukraine, Park Hee-chan.
Seoul reacted sharply to Kyiv's disclosure of information about the transfer to South Korea of two North Korean servicemen who fought on Russia's side and were captured by Ukraine early last year.
South Korean authorities fear that due to the disclosure of this information, the families of the prisoners of war could become targets for the DPRK authorities. The identities of both prisoners of war could be established: South Korean media photographed them even before their arrival in the country.
On Friday, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stated that Seoul would take "further measures" if Ukraine does not issue a public apology for the unilateral disclosure of information about the transfer of North Korean prisoners of war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the transfer of two North Korean servicemen to South Korea on September 23 during his speech at the UN General Assembly.
Zelenskyy's advisor Dmytro Litvin said that there was no agreement to keep it a secret and that it would be "wrong to hide where these or other prisoners are being sent".