South Korea to withdraw more embassy staff from Ukraine after POW disclosure row

South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on October 20, 2026, that it will withdraw additional embassy personnel from Ukraine, citing what it called a lack of "constructive response" from Kyiv in a dispute over North Korean prisoners of war. Al Jazeera

The announcement follows the recall of South Korea's ambassador from Kyiv earlier in October. That recall came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the UN General Assembly that Ukraine had transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea.

Seoul said the transfer operation should have remained confidential to protect the soldiers' families in North Korea. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Ukraine had sent a message that included words of apology over the disclosure, but that it fell short of the level Seoul expected.

A charge d'affaires, the diplomat who leads an embassy when there is no ambassador, and all consular staff will remain in Kyiv to maintain diplomatic communication and protect South Korean nationals.

A South Korean diplomat said there was no discussion with Ukraine on the timing of disclosing the repatriation of the North Korean prisoners. Yonhap

Ukraine said it considered the disclosure dispute resolved and that diplomacy must prevail over emotions. Al Jazeera