Korea analyst suggests domestic motives behind Seoul's ambassador recall

Korea researcher Konstantin Asmolov suggested that South Korea's recall of its ambassador from Ukraine could reflect President Lee Jae-myung's domestic political objectives. RIA Novosti reported his assessment on October 8, citing an interview with Lenta.ru.

The researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute of China and Contemporary Asia described Seoul's response as excessive. He argued that a display of independence and toughness abroad could serve domestic purposes. That is his interpretation, rather than an explanation confirmed by South Korean authorities.

South Korea's foreign ministry announced the recall. Interfax, citing Yonhap, reported that the diplomatic dispute followed Volodymyr Zelenskyy's public disclosure that two North Korean prisoners of war had been transferred to Seoul. South Korea demanded explanations and an official apology.

Asmolov said Seoul rarely resorted to such measures even during territorial and historical disagreements with Japan. He also linked the tension to the two presidents' public styles. His suggestion of undisclosed motives remains an assessment, rather than an established circumstance.