"Feel the difference": Foreign Ministry refutes Seoul's interpretation of Sybiha's remarks on North Korean POWs
Tykhyi noted that Ukraine prefers to keep diplomatic correspondence between the two parties confidential. At the same time, he added that since the South Korean side had already partially disclosed its contents, it was necessary to clarify what the Ukrainian minister actually said.
Earlier, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated that his country had received an apology from Ukraine for disclosing information regarding the transfer of two POWs from North Korea. According to him, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha allegedly expressed the corresponding apology.
He emphasized that these words differ significantly from how the Korean side presented them.
"I think you can basically feel the difference here between what the Korean side said and what was actually spoken. And that is the truth," Tykhyi said.
According to him, Ukraine made "a gesture of goodwill and a friendly step" toward Seoul in responding to South Korea's request to transfer the two prisoners.
The diplomatic spat arose after the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, disclosed information regarding the transfer of the two North Korean POWs. Kyiv attributes the situation to a "difference in interpreting agreements concerning confidentiality protocols."
Tykhyi also stressed that behind-the-scenes diplomatic work through private channels continues following the public exchange of critical comments.
He added that "there have probably been enough comments" from both sides.
Background
Earlier, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung accused Ukraine of violating a non-disclosure agreement after President Volodymyr Zelenskyi addressed the UN General Assembly.
Zelenskyi noted during his address that Ukraine had recently transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. The head of state also highlighted that Russia is using citizens from 47 countries in its war against Ukraine.
However, according to the South Korean president, the repatriation of North Korean POWs represents an extremely sensitive matter that could carry serious consequences for diplomacy, national security, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
It should be noted that the news about the two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine first surfaced in January 2025. Ukrainian troops captured two North Korean military personnel in the Kursk region who were participating in the war on Russia's side. Despite their injuries, responders brought the prisoners to Kyiv. At the time, Ukraine stated it would not return them to Russia or North Korea.
On October 2, South Korean leader Lee Jae Myung threatened to take additional measures against Ukraine unless Kyiv acknowledged the confidentiality agreement regarding the transfer of the two North Korean POWs and issued an apology.
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9 of October 2026
