Lee Jae-myung criticizes Ukraine over North Korean POW disclosure
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on September 24, 2026, for publicly disclosing that two North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine had been sent to South Korea, stating that the announcement violated a confidential agreement and created sensitive geopolitical complications.
The Disclosure and the Broken Confidentiality Agreement
The diplomatic friction emerged after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the United Nations, publicly confirming the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. Speaking via a post on X (formerly Twitter) on September 24, 2026, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung addressed the development by stating that while the underlying circumstances remain unclear, the public disclosure was deeply regrettable.
The South Korean leader emphasized that the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war carries immense weight for foreign policy, national security, and broader stability on the Korean Peninsula. According to the administration, maintaining confidentiality was deemed essential from every practical standpoint given the sensitive nature of the topic, prompting both governments to reach a private understanding before the UN address.
Political Backlash and Domestic Controversy
The handling of the repatriation has triggered intense domestic debate within South Korea. Conservative opposition factions launched sharp criticisms against the administration for keeping the prisoner transfer under wraps, arguing that the public deserved immediate transparency regarding such significant international developments.
President Lee forcefully rejected those political attacks, labeling the criticism of the administration’s non-disclosure policy as unjustified. The South Korean leader asserted that pushing to publicize the repatriation for political gain or short-term public approval demonstrates a disregard for national security and human safety.
“To treat life, the national interest, and security as secondary to a quick PR win is reckless,” the administration noted in its public statements regarding the domestic opposition.
Geopolitical Stakes and Humanitarian Concerns
The South Korean government maintains that internal proposals to publicize the arrival of the prisoners to boost approval ratings were weighed and ultimately rejected to safeguard broader state interests. The administration concluded its remarks by expressing a renewed hope for the swift and peaceful resolution of the destructive conflict driving these regional ripples.