South Korea has temporarily withdrawn its ambassador to Ukraine, Park Ki-chan, amid a deepening diplomatic dispute over the public disclosure of the repatriation of two North Korean soldiers captured while fighting for Russia. The move, announced by Seoul's foreign ministry on Wednesday, underscores the growing friction between the two countries over how to handle sensitive information related to the war in Ukraine.
The ministry said the recall was prompted by Kyiv's unauthorised release of details about the handover of the prisoners, which Seoul argues could have severe repercussions for the soldiers' relatives back in North Korea. Under the regime in Pyongyang, families of those who fall into enemy hands or defect are often subjected to punishment, including imprisonment or forced labour.
Despite the diplomatic rebuke, the South Korean embassy in Kyiv will remain operational, and the foreign ministry expressed hope that outstanding issues could be resolved through continued consultations. The statement did not specify how long the ambassador's recall would last.
Dispute over confidentiality
The controversy began on 23 September, when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the UN General Assembly that North Korean soldiers captured on the battlefield had been repatriated. Seoul maintains that this public statement violated an implicit understanding of confidentiality, putting the prisoners' families at risk.
Ukraine has firmly rejected the accusation. Dmytro Lytvyn, an adviser to President Zelenskyy, took to social media at the end of September to deny the existence of any such agreement. "There was no such agreement, that is not true. And it would be wrong to conceal what happens to particular prisoners," he wrote.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the incident as a diplomatic misunderstanding and expressed hope for a swift resolution. However, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung had earlier warned of "additional measures" if Kyiv did not acknowledge a breach and issue a public apology. On Tuesday, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Seoul had received an apology from Ukraine, but it fell short of what his country expected.
The row comes at a delicate time for Ukraine, which is struggling to sustain its frontline cities through another winter of war. European allies have been closely watching the fallout, as it could affect broader international support for Kyiv.
Fuel shipments to Russia complicate matters
Adding to the tension, reports have emerged that South Korean ports shipped more than 176,000 tonnes of fuel oil, mostly diesel, to Russia in July and August. The data, based on port documents and vessel-tracking information published by The Guardian, indicates that seven tankers—three of which are subject to UK and EU sanctions—made 14 voyages over the two-month period.
Vladyslav Vlasjuk, Ukraine's presidential envoy on sanctions policy, said the timing was no coincidence. "These deliveries began precisely when Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries reduced processing volumes and caused a fuel shortage in the Russian Federation. In other words, imports from South Korea effectively helped Russia offset the consequences of losing its own refining capacity," he wrote on social media.
Kyiv's reaction is notable given that Seoul joined the coalition of countries that imposed enhanced export controls on Russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. In 2024, South Korea expanded its list of controlled goods to more than 1,400 items and tightened restrictions on so-called Common High Priority Items—components Russia procures through third countries for use in missiles, drones, and other weapons. Seoul has also sanctioned Russian ships, companies, and individuals involved in military cooperation with North Korea.
In response to the reports, South Korea's foreign ministry said Seoul "supports and is actively participating in global efforts to end the war in Ukraine and restore peace." The statement did not directly address the fuel shipments, but analysts note that South Korea's position is complicated by its own economic interests and its need to manage relations with both Russia and China.
The dispute has also drawn attention in Brussels, where the European Parliament has recently urged a tougher EU stance on China, a key ally of both Russia and North Korea. Meanwhile, the broader security situation in Europe remains tense, with NATO members like Spain scrambling jets in Romania after drone alerts near Ukraine.
For now, the recall of the ambassador marks a low point in South Korea-Ukraine relations, but both sides have left the door open for dialogue. The coming weeks will show whether the two countries can mend fences and refocus on their shared interest in countering Russian aggression.
