CNA Explains: Why is South Korea angry with Ukraine over two North Korean POWs?

South Korea has formally requested an apology from the Ukrainian government following the public disclosure of a sensitive intelligence matter. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that Kyiv had transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea, an act Seoul claims violated a pre-existing secrecy agreement between the two nations.

The incident highlights the diplomatic strain surrounding the involvement of North Korean personnel in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. By making the transfer public, the Ukrainian administration bypassed established protocols, prompting South Korea to seek accountability for the breach of confidentiality regarding these military detainees.