Escalation of scandal with South Korea: Seoul recalls ambassador from Ukraine
South Korea has decided to recall its ambassador to Ukraine amid a diplomatic conflict over the disclosure of information about the transfer to Seoul of two captured North Korean soldiers. This marked a new stage in the dispute between the countries after South Korean authorities deemed Ukraine's apologies insufficient.
Seoul's decision was reported on October 8 by the South Korean Yonhap news agency.
Previously, the recall of Ambassador Park Hi-chan was considered only as one of possible diplomatic measures in response to Kyiv's actions. Now, according to the agency, the South Korean side has decided to take this step.
The diplomatic conflict arose in late September after the speech of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the UN General Assembly. On September 23, he announced that Ukraine had handed over to South Korea two North Korean soldiers captured during combat on the side of Russia.
The North Korean soldiers were captured in January 2025 in Russia's Kursk region. According to South Korean officials, they arrived in Seoul in mid-September 2026.
South Korean authorities claim that an agreement existed between the countries not to disclose the prisoner transfer. Seoul explained the need for confidentiality due to security risks for the former soldiers and their relatives remaining in North Korea.
Meanwhile, the Office of the President of Ukraine denied the existence of such an agreement at the level of heads of state. After that, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung accused the Ukrainian side of violating diplomatic agreements and demanded official explanations and apologies.
On September 28, South Korea's Foreign Ministry summoned Ukraine's chargé d'affaires Andrii Veshkin to express protest. Subsequently, the heads of foreign affairs agencies of both countries began negotiations to resolve the dispute.
On October 6, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun reported that he had received a message of apology from Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha. However, he said, Kyiv's response did not meet Seoul's expectations.
Then the minister announced the preparation of more decisive diplomatic measures and confirmed that the government is considering the possibility of recalling the ambassador from Ukraine.
Andrii Sybiha previously called the situation a diplomatic misunderstanding and expressed hope for its rapid resolution.
At the time of Yonhap's breaking report, the agency did not specify when exactly the ambassador would return to South Korea and for what duration he was being recalled. No announcement was made about the severance of diplomatic relations or a review of aid programs to Ukraine.
As previously reported by "Kurs Ukrainy", until recently Seoul had emphasized its intention to resolve the dispute through diplomatic channels and maintain cooperation with Kyiv.
