South Korea and Ukraine have discussed measures to restore their bilateral relationship following diplomatic tensions triggered by Kyiv’s disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul in September, South Korean media reported Wednesday.
The foreign ministers of both countries held talks on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers’ meeting in Paris. The meeting marked their first face-to-face diplomatic engagement since the disagreement emerged, according to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun emphasized that mutual trust, respect and the proper implementation of bilateral agreements were essential foundations for strengthening relations between the two countries. He also expressed hope that outstanding disagreements could be resolved through constructive discussions, Yonhap reported, citing the Foreign Ministry.
Cho’s comments appeared to address the controversy surrounding the two prisoners of war. Seoul has demanded an apology from Kyiv and assurances that similar incidents will not happen again.
The South Korean foreign minister also reaffirmed his country’s willingness to explore further humanitarian assistance for Ukraine and contribute to its postwar reconstruction efforts.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stressed the importance of diplomatic cooperation to maintain stable relations and further strengthen ties between the two nations.
In a statement shared on the social media platform X, Sybiha said additional efforts were necessary to achieve the complete restoration of bilateral relations. He also reiterated Ukraine’s interest in building a dynamic and practical partnership with South Korea.
Sybiha expressed gratitude for Seoul’s continued support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while renewing his invitation for Cho to visit the country.
The two diplomats also exchanged views on broader regional developments, including the security situation on the Korean Peninsula.
Relations between Seoul and Kyiv deteriorated after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed the transfer of the North Korean prisoners during his address to the United Nations General Assembly in September.
Following the disclosure, South Korea recalled its ambassador from Ukraine and withdrew approximately half of its diplomatic mission’s personnel last month, reflecting the seriousness of the disagreement.
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