Regarding the strained relations between the two countries following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's unexpected public disclosure of the transfer of a North Korean prisoner of war to South Korea, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister stated that he "sincerely hopes it will be resolved."

According to local media outlets such as RBC-Ukraine on October 1 (local time), Minister Andrii Sybiha told reporters at an event, "I do not want to call this issue an 'incident.' Let us call it a 'diplomatic misunderstanding.'"

This conciliatory remark from a high-ranking Ukrainian official comes amid conflict over differing stances on whether the two nations had agreed to keep the transfer of the North Korean prisoner confidential.

Minister Sybiha continued, "I sincerely hope that this situation will be resolved in the very near future, and we are working toward that end," adding, "South Korea is an important country to us."

He also added, "We strongly hope that the momentum, continuity, and concrete results we are truly building together with South Korea will continue."

RBC-Ukraine reported that Minister Sybiha has been in direct contact with South Korea's Foreign Minister every day over the past few days.

(Photo: Getty Images)