South Korea has decided to withdraw some diplomatic personnel from its embassy in Kyiv following an escalating disagreement with Ukraine over the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry announced the decision on October 20, citing what it described as Ukraine’s failure to take constructive steps toward resolving the dispute, as well as continuing security concerns caused by Russian air attacks.
The move follows Seoul’s earlier recall of its ambassador to Ukraine in protest over Kyiv’s handling of the prisoners’ transfer.
According to the “Associated Press”, South Korean officials have not specified how many embassy employees will leave or when the withdrawal will take place. The country will retain essential personnel, including its chargé d’affaires, to maintain diplomatic contact and assist South Korean citizens.
Disagreement Over Two North Korean Soldiers
The dispute centres on two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces in early 2025 while fighting alongside Russian troops.
The soldiers later expressed a desire to settle in South Korea, saying they feared persecution if they were returned to North Korea.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed the transfer during a speech at the United Nations on September 23, 2026. South Korea subsequently accused Ukraine of violating a nondisclosure agreement that Seoul said was intended to protect the soldiers and their relatives in North Korea.
Ukraine has denied that the two countries reached such an agreement, deepening the disagreement.
South Korea has long accepted North Korean defectors and provides support for those who resettle in the country. Its government also claims constitutional authority over the entire Korean Peninsula.
Security Concerns Add to Diplomatic Tensions
South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson Park Doosoon said the decision to withdraw additional personnel was partly driven by the continuing threat from Russian attacks.
The withdrawal therefore reflects two separate concerns: the unresolved diplomatic disagreement and the risks facing embassy staff in a country at war.
South Korea has said it remains open to consultations with Ukraine and wants an amicable resolution. Ukraine has also previously indicated that it is willing to continue dialogue.
The decision does not amount to a complete closure of South Korea’s embassy in Kyiv. Essential diplomatic personnel will remain to maintain official communications and provide consular assistance.
Wider Implications for Relations in the War
The disagreement highlights the diplomatic complications created by North Korea’s involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
North Korean troops have supported Russian forces, while the capture of North Korean soldiers by Ukraine has raised questions over their future, their stated wishes, and the diplomatic arrangements governing their transfer.
For Seoul, the case involves the safety of the soldiers and their families, as well as its relationship with both Ukraine and North Korea. For Kyiv, the issue comes amid a wider effort to secure international support against Russia.
The immediate outcome will depend on whether the two governments can resolve their disagreement and restore confidence in their diplomatic engagement.
