South Korea announced on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, that it will withdraw additional personnel from its embassy in Kyiv. The decision follows a diplomatic disagreement regarding the public disclosure of a transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war from Ukraine to South Korea. South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson Park Doo-soon stated the move was prompted by a lack of constructive steps from Ukraine to address the issue and by safety concerns due to intensified Russian air strikes.
The dispute originated after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed the transfer of the two prisoners during a speech at the United Nations on Sept. 23. South Korean officials stated the operation was intended to remain secret to protect the soldiers and their families in North Korea from potential persecution. While South Korea accused Ukraine of violating a nondisclosure agreement, Ukraine denied such an agreement existed, though South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun noted that Kyiv had sent a message containing an apology that did not meet Seoul's expectations.
The two North Korean soldiers were captured in early 2025 among thousands of troops deployed to support the Russian military. Under South Korea’s constitution, North Koreans are considered citizens, and the government historically provides financial support to those who defect. Earlier in October 2026, South Korea recalled its ambassador to Ukraine in protest. In response, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi told local media that diplomacy should prevail over emotions and indicated that Kyiv considered the situation resolved.
South Korea will maintain a charge d’affaires and essential consular personnel to assist its nationals. For the South Korean government, the safety of the two transferred soldiers and their families remains a primary concern, as North Korea has historically reacted to high-profile defections with accusations of kidnapping.
The scale of the withdrawal involves a portion of the embassy's workforce, though the specific number of employees leaving was not reported. For South Koreans living in Ukraine, the change means a smaller diplomatic footprint, even as consular services are slated to continue. Some experts suggested that the government of President Lee Jae Myung may have also feared that publicizing the arrival could undermine efforts to improve inter-Korean relations.
What happens next depends on Ukraine's formal response to South Korea's request for "appropriate action" to restore trust. While a charge d'affaires will stay to maintain contact with Ukrainian authorities, no specific timeline was provided for when the withdrawn staff would return or if further diplomatic downgrades are planned. The two North Korean soldiers are expected to undergo resettlement in South Korea, a process that includes government financial assistance. No specific dates for future bilateral meetings or court proceedings related to this dispute were reported.