Seoul summons Ukrainian envoy over North Korean POW disclosure row

South Korea's foreign ministry summoned Ukraine's ambassador on Thursday following President Volodymyr Zelensky's disclosure last week that Kyiv had transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul for interrogation. Officials in Seoul expressed concern that the public announcement had compromised what was intended as a discreet arrangement between the two nations. The ministry statement indicated that South Korea had not authorized the public disclosure of the transfer, citing sensitivities around the matter. The two North Korean soldiers were captured during Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, where intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has deployed troops to support Moscow's military operations. Pyongyang has not acknowledged the presence of its forces in the conflict, maintaining an official policy of non-involvement in the war. The incident underscores tensions over intelligence-sharing protocols and operational security between Ukraine and its international partners as Kyiv seeks support for its defense effort.