[Anchor]

Cheong Wa Dae has refuted Ukraine's recent claim that it never agreed with the South Korean government to keep the transfer of North Korean soldiers confidential, calling it a false assertion. The presidential office stated that Ukraine breached the non-disclosure agreement and even issued false public statements, demanding an official explanation and apology.

Kang Min-u reports.

[Reporter]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise revelation during his speech 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 the Ukrainian military 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 on social media, writing, "I do not know what circumstances Ukraine was facing, but it is deeply regrettable that they disclosed this in violation of the non-disclosure agreement."

However, a source from the Ukrainian presidential office countered through the media, claiming that "no confidentiality was promised," escalating the matter into a dispute over the truth.

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

Seong Gi-hong, Senior Presidential Secretary for Public Communication, explained the background, stating that Ukraine had actually requested confidentiality out of concern over public backlash that it had forfeited an opportunity to exchange its own prisoners of war, and that the transfer process had proceeded after South Korea agreed.

He pointed out that while Ukraine's unilateral disclosure without prior consultation or even notification in breach of the non-disclosure agreement was a very serious issue, announcing the falsehood that no such agreement existed is an act that severely undermines mutual trust and causes grave disruption to friendly bilateral relations.

He also expressed deep regret over certain domestic figures turning diplomatic and security matters into partisan strife, criticizing them for defending Ukraine's unfair actions and undermining the national interest.

Video by Jeong Sang-bo | Video Editing by Wi Won-yang