South Korea recalls eight embassy staff from Kyiv

South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recalled eight staff members of its embassy in Kyiv amid disagreements with the Ukrainian side over the disclosure of information about the transfer of North Korean prisoners of war.

This was announced at a parliamentary hearing by South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.

According to the minister, the reason was statements by the Ukrainian side, including comments about the situation on the border with the DPRK.

“We had no choice but to recall eight diplomatic staff members,” he said.

Cho Hyun also did not rule out that further escalation of the conflict could jeopardize diplomatic relations between the two countries. He was responding to an opposition lawmaker who described the situation as an acute diplomatic conflict bordering on an actual rupture of relations.

“Yes. If the escalation continues, I believe such a possibility exists,” the South Korean foreign minister said.

At the same time, the minister stressed that he continues to maintain contact with his Ukrainian counterpart. Key staff of the South Korean embassy remain in Ukraine to assist fellow citizens if necessary.

In early October, South Korea recalled its ambassador, Park Ki-chang, from Ukraine amid a sharp deterioration in diplomatic relations between the two countries over Volodymyr Zelensky’s disclosure of information about the transfer of North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul.