South Korea has decided to withdraw some staff from its embassy in Ukraine. The move follows Seoul’s dissatisfaction over the lack of a “constructive response” in a dispute involving two North Korean prisoners of war whom Ukraine handed over to the South Korean side.
The announcement was made on 20 October by South Korea’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Park Doo-sun, Reuters reported.
He said Seoul had repeatedly conveyed its position to the Ukrainian side through various channels but had not received an adequate response. The decision to reduce its diplomatic presence in Ukraine was taken to help achieve a peaceful settlement of the dispute and restore trust between the two countries.
The ministry did not specify how many staff would be withdrawn. At the same time, South Korea’s chargé d’affaires and all consular staff will remain in Kyiv.
Seoul also noted that the ongoing threat of Russian air strikes makes it difficult to ensure the safety of personnel.
Read alsoSouth Korea’s diplomatic dispute with Ukraine: Is Seoul setting its priorities correctly?
Context
- Earlier this month, South Korea recalled its ambassador from Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the UN General Assembly, reported the handover to Seoul of two captured North Korean soldiers.
- South Korea said the disclosure breached a confidentiality agreement intended to protect the prisoners of war and their families in North Korea.
- After the ambassador was recalled, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said Kyiv remained open to constructive dialogue with Seoul despite the decision. He said the Ukrainian side had invited a South Korean diplomat to the Foreign Ministry to present its position and find ways to resolve the situation.