South Korea has recalled its ambassador from Ukraine amid a diplomatic crisis triggered by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s public announcement that two North Korean prisoners were transferred to Seoul.

The move follows South Korea’s insistence that the arrangement was supposed to remain secret, though Ukrainian authorities denied such a precondition existed. The detainees were reportedly captured in January 2025 during an incursion by Ukrainian forces into Russia’s Kursk Region, where North Korean troops assisted Russian forces in repelling the attack.

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry announced Thursday that its ambassador, Park Ki-chang, will return to Seoul immediately. A government statement said it “hopes that various issues between the two countries will be resolved amicably and will continue consultations with Ukraine to achieve this.”

However, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung warned last week that “if the Ukrainian government continues to refuse acknowledging the facts and issuing a public apology, we will take additional measures.” He also accused Zelensky’s administration of attempting to “bring war to the Korean Peninsula” through its actions.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga previously described the diplomatic dispute as a “diplomatic misunderstanding,” stating he was working to resolve it.

The transfer of North Korean nationals to South Korea risks escalating tensions between the two countries, which remain technically at war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice. Pyongyang has not yet issued any official comments.

South Korea has provided Ukraine with humanitarian and financial assistance since 2022, pledging another $100 million in July but has stopped short of supplying weapons.