South Korea is withdrawing more embassy staff from Ukraine due to a dispute over prisoners from North Korea, Reuters reported. The dispute involves two North Korean soldiers captured by the Ukrainian Armed Forces (ZSU) in Kursk region in January 2025, who were transferred to South Korea in September.

Seoul is dissatisfied that Zelensky publicly announced the transfer of prisoners, although, according to the Korean side, the parties had agreed on confidentiality. Previously, South Korea had already recalled its ambassador.