South Korea says it received 'insufficient' apology from Ukraine over North Korean POWs, mulls envoy recall

Key Points:

• South Korea received an apology from Kyiv regarding the disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean POWs, but Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated the apology did not meet Seoul's expectations, prompting consideration of firm measures including possibly recalling the South Korean Ambassador to Ukraine.
• The issue arose after Ukrainian President Zelensky revealed information about the POW transfer during a UN General Assembly speech, which South Korea claimed violated a non-disclosure agreement that Ukraine denies existed.
• South Korean President Lee Jae Myung publicly condemned Kyiv's denial of the agreement, emphasizing the matter concerns national dignity and warning of further actions if an adequate apology is not issued.
• The transfer was intended to protect North Korean soldiers and their families, with the non-disclosure arrangement reportedly initiated by Ukraine, while Ukrainian officials have described the incident as a "diplomatic misunderstanding."
• Ukraine has not officially confirmed issuing an apology, and the incident follows Ukraine's announcement of capturing two North Korean soldiers amid reports of North Korean troop deployments to Russia's Kursk region.