"Breached Agreement and Made False Statements": Cheong Wa Dae Demands Ukraine's Explanation and Apology

[Anchor]

Cheong Wa Dae has refuted recent claims by Ukraine that it never agreed with the South Korean government to keep the transfer of North Korean soldiers confidential, calling the claims false. Stating that Ukraine broke the confidentiality agreement and went so far as to issue false public statements, Cheong Wa Dae demanded an official explanation and an apology.

Reporter Kang Min-u reports.

[Reporter]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise disclosure during his address at the UN General Assembly that two captured North Korean prisoners of war had been sent to South Korea.

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Ukrainian President (local time September 23): "Recently, we sent two North Korean prisoners of war captured by Ukrainian forces to the Republic of Korea."]

President Lee Jae-myung, who was visiting the United States and Mexico on the occasion of the UN General Assembly, criticized the move via social media, stating, "I do not know what circumstances Ukraine had in breaking the confidentiality agreement and making this public, but it is deeply regrettable."

However, the situation escalated into a dispute over the truth after a source from the Ukrainian presidential office countered through the media, claiming that "no pledge of secrecy had been made."

In response, Cheong Wa Dae released a statement last night (September 27) expressing strong regret and demanding an official explanation and an apology from the Ukrainian government.

Sung Ki-hong, Senior Presidential Secretary for Public Communication, explained the background, stating that Ukraine had actually requested secrecy out of concern over domestic public backlash that it had surrendered opportunities to exchange its own prisoners of war, and that the repatriation process proceeded after South Korea agreed to the terms.

He pointed out that while Ukraine's unilateral disclosure without prior consultation or even advance notice in violation of the confidentiality agreement was a very serious issue, announcing the falsehood that no confidentiality agreement existed severely undermines trust between the two nations and causes profound disruptions to friendly relations.

He also added that certain domestic figures are turning diplomatic and security matters into political strife, expressing deep regret over actions that defend Ukraine's wrongful conduct and harm the national interest.

Video by Jeong Sang-bo | Video Editing by Wi Won-yang
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.