Seoul recalls eight diplomats from Ukraine, warns of possible deterioration in relations
According to the minister, following the recall of South Korea's ambassador from Ukraine, Seoul decided to recall eight more diplomats. He cited the following reasons for the move:
Cho Hyun described the diplomats' recall as "inevitable," attributing it to "Ukraine's failure to resolve this issue."
However, South Korea's foreign minister noted that other personnel needed to keep diplomatic missions operating remain in Ukraine.
The minister was also asked whether the dispute could escalate to the point of threatening diplomatic relations between Seoul and Kyiv. Cho Hyun replied that this was possible if tensions between the two countries continued to rise.
"I continue to stay in contact with Ukraine's foreign minister to resolve this issue as soon as possible," he said.
At the same time, Cho Hyun said South Korea would continue to support Ukraine. In particular:
Earlier, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung accused Ukraine of violating a non-disclosure agreement after President Volodymyr Zelenskyi spoke at the UN General Assembly.
Zelenskyi said at the time that Ukraine had recently handed over two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. The president also stressed that Russia was using citizens of 47 countries in its war against Ukraine.
However, according to South Korea's president, the issue of repatriating North Korean prisoners of war is extremely sensitive and could have serious implications for diplomacy, national security and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
The capture of two North Korean soldiers by Ukrainian forces was first reported in January 2025. Ukrainian troops captured two North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk region who had been fighting on Russia's side. Despite their injuries, the prisoners were brought to Kyiv. At the time, Ukraine said it would not return them to Russia or North Korea.
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28 of October 2026
