South Korea recalls ambassador to Ukraine over North Korean prisoner dispute

South Korea announced on Thursday that it would recall its ambassador to Ukraine due to a growing diplomatic dispute over North Korean prisoners of war. Deutsche Welle and the South China Morning Post both reported that Seoul took action after the transfer of North Korean prisoners of war was made public knowledge. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][10][11][12]

According to Deutsche Welle and the South China Morning Post, the diplomatic rift escalated following a speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the United Nations General Assembly last month. President Zelenskyy revealed details concerning the capture and subsequent transfer to Seoul of two North Korean soldiers who fought for Russia against Ukraine. [1][2]

Deutsche Welle reported that South Korea was upset by the public revelation of the prisoner transfer at the United Nations. Seoul formally requested an apology from Ukraine over the issue but did not receive one. [1]

South Korea officially constitutes the southern half of the Korean Peninsula and shares a border with North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone. The country has a total population of approximately 52 million people, with about half of its residents living in the Seoul metropolitan area. [13]