South Korea recalls ambassador to Ukraine over POW dispute

South Korea announced on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, that it will recall its ambassador to Ukraine, escalating a protest over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s public disclosure that two North Korean prisoners of war had been transferred to Seoul.

The row pits two countries that back Ukraine’s defence against each other. South Korea has given Ukraine $445 million in humanitarian aid since 2022, and President Lee Jae Myung pledged another $100 million in July, the Associated Press reported.

Seoul says Ukraine broke a non-disclosure agreement covering the mid-September transfer. Kyiv denies it agreed to any such deal. Zelenskyy raised the transfer in his speech to the UN General Assembly on Sept. 23. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said the secrecy was meant to protect the soldiers and their relatives in North Korea, according to the AP.

Lee had earlier threatened unspecified punitive steps unless Ukraine apologized. The ministry did not say when the ambassador would return home. It said it will keep consulting Ukraine and hopes the dispute will be resolved “smoothly.”

Ukraine said it remains open to talks. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said: “Diplomacy must prevail over emotions,” Euronews reported on Oct. 9.

The two soldiers were among thousands of North Korean troops sent to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. They were captured in early 2025 and wanted to resettle in South Korea, fearing persecution if sent home, the AP reported. South Korea treats North Korea as part of its own territory and has a policy of accepting and supporting defectors.

North Korean state media has not commented, according to both outlets. Pyongyang has rejected talks with Seoul and Washington since 2019. The AP said experts believe the liberal South Korean government may also fear the disclosure could hurt its efforts to improve ties with Pyongyang, while observers said Zelenskyy likely revealed the transfer to highlight North Korea’s military support for Russia and to win more international aid. Those readings are the experts’ and observers’, not confirmed by either government.

Experts quoted by the AP said good relations with Kyiv serve South Korean interests, because Ukraine could share intelligence on North Korea’s growing cooperation with Russia and battlefield lessons. Ties with Kyiv also matter for Seoul’s partnerships with Western countries that support Ukraine.

Neither report mentioned Canada, and Canada News Media found no indication that Canadian personnel or interests are involved. It is unclear what other steps Seoul might take. The story is developing, and no date has been set for talks between the two governments.

Via the Associated Press and Euronews.

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