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South Korea's Lee accuses Zelensky of breaching confidentiality over North Korean POWs

South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae Myung has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for publicly disclosing information about North Korean soldiers captured by Kyiv, arguing the revelation violated agreed confidentiality protocols.

LSN Malaysia · 24 September 2026

South Korea's Lee accuses Zelensky of breaching confidentiality over North Korean POWs

Lee Jae Myung, a leading opposition figure in South Korea, expressed concern that Zelensky had broken confidentiality agreements by publicly announcing that Ukraine had captured two North Korean soldiers and transferred them to Seoul.

The disclosure came after Zelensky made statements regarding the capture and handover of the North Korean military personnel, details that Lee suggested should have remained private given prior understandings between the nations involved.

Lee's remarks highlight diplomatic sensitivities surrounding North Korean military involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The presence of North Korean troops supporting Russian operations has been a subject of international concern and intelligence assessments.

The incident underscores the delicate balance required in handling sensitive military and security matters, particularly when multiple nations are involved in custody and intelligence-sharing arrangements. Lee's criticism suggests Seoul and Kyiv may need to establish clearer protocols for managing information about captured personnel.