Cheong Wa Dae Demands Apology for 'False Briefing' on Ukraine, Takes Tough Line with Late-Night Statement

[Financial News] Cheong Wa Dae has demanded an official explanation and apology from the Ukrainian government, which said there had been no confidential agreement with South Korea regarding the repatriation of two North Korean prisoners of war.
Sung Ki-hong, Cheong Wa Dae's senior secretary for public relations and communications, issued a statement late that night, saying, "We strongly regret the Ukrainian government's unilateral disclosure in violation of the agreement, followed by the false briefing that 'there was no confidential agreement.'"
Sung pointed out that the Ukrainian presidential office's press office had seriously undermined trust between the two governments and severely damaged their friendly relations by announcing the false claim that there had been no confidential agreement.
He added, "We are reviewing any further measures that may be necessary on this issue."
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly disclosed that two North Korean prisoners of war would be sent to South Korea in a speech to the U.N. General Assembly on the 23rd, local time.
On the 24th, President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret on X, formerly Twitter, saying, "They disclosed it in violation of the confidential agreement," and adding, "I don't know what circumstances led to this, but it is deeply disappointing."
The controversy grew after an official from the Ukrainian presidential office said on social media that no such agreement existed. The opposition camp criticized the government, asking, "Were they afraid of upsetting Kim Jong Un?"
According to Cheong Wa Dae's statement, the Ukrainian government had requested that the repatriation be kept confidential for security reasons, taking into account public criticism at home during the negotiations.
This followed Russia's proposal to exchange North Korean and Ukrainian prisoners of war.
The South Korean government is also said to have agreed to keep the matter confidential, taking into consideration the safety of the prisoners' families as well as diplomatic and security concerns.
Cheong Wa Dae maintains that the Ukrainian side unilaterally announced the repatriation without providing sufficient advance notice or holding concrete consultations.
[email protected] Sung Min-seo Reporter