South Korea does not rule out further deterioration of relations with Ukraine, up to their rupture, if the diplomatic conflict surrounding the transfer of captured DPRK soldiers continues to escalate.

This was stated by South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on October 27 during parliamentary hearings. Details were reported on October 28 by the South Korean agency Yonhap.

During the session, one of the deputies asked the minister whether relations between Seoul and Kyiv had approached a state equivalent to a rupture of diplomatic ties. Cho Hyun replied that under further escalation of the conflict, such a scenario is possible.

At the same time, the minister emphasized that South Korea continues negotiations with Ukraine and seeks to resolve the dispute. According to him, he maintains direct contact with the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Andrii Sybiha.

The diplomatic conflict has been ongoing for more than a month. On October 8, Seoul recalled its ambassador to Ukraine, Pak Ki-chang, who has still not returned to Kyiv. According to Yonhap, this is one of the longest recalls of a South Korean ambassador in the last 18 years.

Subsequently, South Korea reduced the staff of its embassy in Ukraine. In total, eight employees were recalled from the diplomatic mission, which is approximately half of the staff. Consular staff remained in Kyiv, and diplomatic contacts are maintained through the charge d'affaires.

The cause of the dispute was President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's public announcement about the transfer of two captured North Korean soldiers to Seoul. He said this on September 23 during a speech at the UN General Assembly.

Ukrainian forces captured the DPRK servicemen in January 2025 during combat operations in the Kursk region of Russia. In mid-September 2026, they were handed over to South Korea.

South Korean authorities claim that the countries previously agreed not to disclose the transfer of soldiers to protect their safety and relatives remaining in the DPRK. After Zelenskyy's statement, Seoul demanded official explanations and apologies.

The Ukrainian side denies violating the agreements. Andrii Sybiha previously explained that the differences arose due to different interpretations of confidentiality conditions at separate stages of the transfer of the prisoners. According to him, Ukraine fulfilled all its obligations and considers the issue closed.

In Seoul, however, they insist that the response received from Kyiv does not meet the expectations of the South Korean government.

Despite the escalation, South Korea has not yet changed its general policy of supporting Ukraine. Cho Hyun confirmed the continuation of humanitarian assistance, participation in international initiatives to end the war, and post-war reconstruction projects.

According to a representative of the South Korean foreign ministry, both countries are aware of the need to resolve the conflict and continue diplomatic consultations. At the same time, there are currently no specific dates for the ambassador's return to Kyiv.

Based on materials from: Yonhap, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea, RBC-Ukraine (Maria Naumenko)очільники МЗС України та Південної Кореї / mfa.gov.ua