Lee warns of 'additional measures' if Ukraine refuses to apologize for NK POW transfer disclosure

Published Oct 2, 2026 11:17 am KST

President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a meeting with senior aides at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Thursday. Joint Press Corps

President Lee Jae Myung warned Friday that South Korea will take "additional measures" should Ukraine continue to refuse to officially apologize for denying its agreement to keep the transfer of North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) secret.

The South Korean president issued the warning on his X account amid a diplomatic wrangle with Ukraine over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's surprise disclosure last week of the transfer of two North Korean POWs to South Korea.

Seoul has since accused Ukraine of breaching a bilateral agreement to keep the transfer secret, but Ukraine has denied the existence of the confidentiality agreement.

"If (Ukraine) continues to deny the fact and refuse to offer an official apology, (Seoul) will take additional measures," Lee said.

发布于2026年10月2日上午11:17（韩国标准时间）

周四，李在明总统在首尔青瓦台会见高级幕僚时发表讲话。（联合记者团）

韩国总统李在明周五警告说，如果乌克兰继续拒绝就其否认承诺对移交朝鲜战俘保密一事正式道歉，韩国将采取“进一步措施”。

在乌克兰总统泽连斯基上周出人意料地宣布将两名朝鲜战俘移交给韩国后，韩国与乌克兰之间爆发了外交争端。韩国总统随后通过其X账户发出警告。

首尔方面指责乌克兰违反了保密双边协议，但乌克兰否认存在保密协议。

李说：“如果（乌克兰）继续否认事实并拒绝正式道歉，（首尔）将采取进一步措施。”