South Korea has decided to recall some of the staff at its embassy in Ukraine amid a diplomatic conflict over the handover of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul. The reasons for this decision, according to the South Korean side, were Kyiv’s failure to provide a constructive response to Seoul’s demands, as well as the intensification of Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian territory, said Park Doo-soon, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, on October 20, 2026.
According to the South Korean news agency Yonhap, the decision was made several weeks after Seoul recalled its ambassador to Ukraine, Park Ki-chan, in protest against the public disclosure of information regarding the transfer of the two DPRK servicemen.
“We have communicated our position to Ukraine through various channels. However, despite these efforts, Ukraine has not taken any positive steps,” stated the South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
According to him, the decision to reduce diplomatic staff is aimed at facilitating the resolution of differences and restoring trust between the two countries.
At the same time, South Korea does not intend to close its embassy in Kyiv or sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine. The chargé d’affaires and all consular staff will remain in the country to continue maintaining contact with Ukrainian authorities and ensuring the protection of South Korean citizens.
The exact number of diplomats being recalled has not been officially disclosed. However, according to Yonhap, citing South Korean officials, about half of the diplomatic mission’s staff may leave Ukraine.
The dangerous situation in Ukraine has been cited as an additional reason for this decision. The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks are making it difficult to ensure the safety of embassy staff.
Currently, there are about 85 citizens of the Republic of Korea in Ukraine. Diplomatic staff are to assist those who wish to evacuate to neighboring countries. South Korean authorities maintain the highest, fourth-level travel warning for the entire territory of Ukraine.
A diplomatic conflict between Kyiv and Seoul arose following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s address to the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2026, when he publicly announced the handover to South Korea of two North Korean soldiers who had been taken prisoner by Ukraine.
Both North Korean soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces in January 2025 during combat operations against Russian forces in the Kursk region. According to South Korean authorities, they arrived in the Republic of Korea in mid-September 2026.
Seoul asserts that there was an agreement between the two countries regarding the confidentiality of the prisoners’ transfer, which was necessary to ensure the safety of the soldiers themselves and their relatives who remain in North Korea.
Following the Ukrainian president’s public statement, the South Korean government demanded official explanations, an apology, and guarantees that such situations would not occur in the future.
At the same time, the Ukrainian side disputes Seoul’s interpretation of the agreements reached. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga previously stated that Kyiv had fulfilled all its obligations, and that the disagreements stem from differing interpretations of the confidentiality terms.
According to Reuters, the Ukrainian minister said last week that he considers the matter closed. Meanwhile, the South Korean Foreign Ministry stated that the explanations received from Kyiv did not satisfy Seoul.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun previously confirmed receiving a personal message from Sibiga containing an apology, but noted that it did not meet the South Korean side’s expectations.
Despite the differences, both countries maintain diplomatic ties. Seoul emphasizes that it hopes to resolve the conflict through further consultations.
South Korea is one of Ukraine’s Asian partners and provides it with humanitarian aid, participates in international support programs, and discusses post-war reconstruction projects. In June 2026, the foreign ministers of both countries agreed to seek a solution to the issue of North Korean prisoners of war, taking into account their voluntary choice, international law, and humanitarian principles.
Sources: Yonhap, South Korean Foreign Ministry statement dated October 20, 2026
DIPLOMACY, North Korea, prisoner of war, SOUTH KOREA, UKRAINE
