South Korea to withdraw some embassy personnel from Ukraine

South Korea will withdraw some embassy personnel from Ukraine, Yonhap reported, citing the foreign ministry. The decision follows a dispute over North Korean prisoners of war and continuing airstrike threats.

Seoul had already announced the recall of its ambassador on October 8. South Korean officials say Kyiv has not taken constructive steps to resolve the dispute.

The row began after Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed at September’s UN General Assembly that two captured North Korean soldiers had been transferred to South Korea. President Lee Jae Myung accused Kyiv of breaching a confidentiality agreement and endangering the prisoners’ families. Ukrainian presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn denied that such an agreement existed.

South Korea’s foreign ministry summoned Ukraine’s acting ambassador, Andrii Veshkin, on September 28 to protest. Lee warned of further measures on October 2 unless Kyiv acknowledged the agreement and apologised.

Ministry spokesperson Park Doo-soon said diplomatic contacts would continue under the charge d’affaires. Consular personnel will remain in Ukraine to protect South Korean citizens.