"Made Foreign Head of State a Liar": S. Korea Considers Recalling Ambassador to Ukraine

[Anchor]

President Lee Jae-myung strongly criticized Ukraine for disclosing the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea, saying it had made a foreign head of state out to be a liar. Warning that further action would be taken if Ukraine does not apologize, it is understood that the South Korean government is considering recalling its ambassador to Ukraine.

Park Ye-rin reports.

[Reporter]

This is a post President Lee Jae-myung shared on social media on the morning of October 2, alongside a news report citing the Ukrainian foreign minister calling the disclosure process regarding the repatriation of North Korean troops to South Korea a "diplomatic misunderstanding."

"The Ukrainian side requested that the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war be kept confidential, and we agreed, but they disclosed it unilaterally," Lee said in a direct rebuke. "When the President of the Republic of Korea showed the utmost courtesy and expressed regret, they made the foreign head of state out to be a liar by claiming no such agreement existed."

He further pointed out, "When urged to acknowledge the agreement and apologize, they instead made remarks about an impending military clash between the South and the North."

On September 27, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine claimed in an interview with foreign media that North Korea's participation in the war in Ukraine was "to prepare for combat in its own region." Seemingly addressing these remarks, President Lee also stated, "I express deep regret to Ukraine, which seeks to trigger the outbreak of war on the Korean Peninsula."

"If they continue to refuse to acknowledge the confidentiality agreement and issue a public apology, we will take additional measures," President Lee emphasized, adding, "As a matter concerning the dignity of our people and nation, this cannot be overlooked."

Following the presidential office's statement on September 27, President Lee once again voiced strong regret through social media today, and South Korea is expected to decide on additional measures, including recalling its ambassador to Ukraine, after reviewing Kyiv's response.

The ruling People Power Party criticized the reaction as "selective outrage," asking, "Is this a more critical issue than North Korea, which planted landmines that blew off the ankles of our soldiers?"

(Video by Jeong Sang-bo, Lim Woo-sik, Ha Ryung | Video Editing by Oh Young-taek | Graphics by Kang Yoon-jeong)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.