Seoul recalls Ukraine envoy amid dispute over North Korean prisoners

South Korea's foreign ministry announced the recall of its ambassador to Kyiv, citing disagreements over the handling of prisoners captured during Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The decision follows Ukraine's public revelation that two North Korean military personnel, reportedly soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces, had been transferred into South Korean custody.

The prisoners were said to have been captured by Ukrainian forces on the battlefield. However, Seoul objected to the manner in which Kyiv disclosed the transfer, contending that the disclosure lacked proper coordination between the allied nations. South Korean officials expressed concern about the diplomatic and security implications of the public announcement.

The recall represents the latest development in a series of disagreements between Seoul and Kyiv regarding military cooperation and intelligence sharing. South Korea has provided non-lethal military aid to Ukraine but has refrained from supplying weapons, citing concerns about potential retaliation from North Korea and Russia.

The incident underscores ongoing tensions regarding North Korean military involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Intelligence assessments have suggested that thousands of North Korean troops have been deployed to support Russian operations, raising strategic concerns for Seoul given the historical animosity between North and South Korea.