South Korea will recall part of its diplomatic staff from Ukraine amid a scandal over the transfer of North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul, Yonhap reported.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said it made the decision because Kyiv had not taken “positive steps” to resolve the diplomatic conflict.
It also said ongoing Russian airstrikes are complicating efforts to protect its diplomatic staff.
The diplomatic scandal between South Korea and Ukraine began after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said publicly that Kyiv had handed over two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. Seoul said the arrangement had been private, and that Ukraine itself had initiated it.
After the incident, Seoul demanded an official apology. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha offered it only during diplomatic consultations, not publicly, which South Korea considered insufficient. In early October, Seoul recalled its ambassador from Ukraine.
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