[Anchor]

The South Korean government, which has been demanding an apology after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war, has decided to withdraw half of its embassy personnel in Ukraine. This marks one of the highest levels of diplomatic action, second only to severing diplomatic relations or completely withdrawing a mission.

Reporter Kim Hye-young reports.

[Reporter]

Following the recall of the South Korean ambassador to Ukraine on October 8, the government has decided to withdraw half of its staff from the embassy in Ukraine.

[Park Doo-soon, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "In the absence of forward-looking measures (from Ukraine), and taking into account difficulties in ensuring safety due to the persistent threat of airstrikes (across Ukraine), we have decided to withdraw some of our embassy personnel."]

While the government explains that it has become difficult to guarantee the safety of its staff, cutting back personnel now—which had been maintained for more than four years even after Russia's invasion of Ukraine—is seen effectively as a "pressure measure against Ukraine."

A Foreign Ministry official said, "Without forward-looking measures from Ukraine, it will not be easy for embassy personnel to return," indicating that the government considers a clear apology and a pledge to prevent recurrence from the Ukrainian government regarding the disclosure of the North Korean POW repatriation as conditions for their return.

The Foreign Ministry stated that 85 South Korean nationals currently reside in Ukraine and that it will proceed with the withdrawal of embassy staff after first assisting residents who wish to evacuate.

It noted that only the minimum essential personnel needed for consular affairs, including the chargé d'affaires, will remain on site.

However, with numerous pending issues requiring cooperation with Ukraine—ranging from responses to the deepening ties between North Korea and Russia to post-war reconstruction—a sober assessment appears necessary on whether such a hardline measure could become a burden on the nation's interests in the long term.

Video by Cho Chun-dong | Video Editing by Kim Jun-hee | Graphics by Byun Da-young