South Korea’s POW row with Ukraine puts ties and aid at risk

An escalating diplomatic row over Ukraine’s disclosure of a North Korean prisoner-of-war transfer is threatening to jeopardise South Korea’s future ties with and support for Kyiv, analysts say, even as it hands fresh ammunition to the political opposition in Seoul.

South Korea’s presidential official issued a statement late on Sunday demanding an official explanation and apology for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s disclosure about the POWs at last week’s UN General Assembly.

Seoul said it was reviewing additional measures in response to the “unilateral disclosure”, which analysts said could mean suspending some forms of support for Ukraine – though no such action had yet been confirmed.

This Week in Asia has contacted the Ukrainian embassy in Seoul for comment.