South Korea reveals why Zelenskyy disclosed secret POW transfer

South Korea’s spy agency has revealed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s motive behind unilaterally disclosing secret transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul.

As per the South Korea National Intelligence Services assessment Zelenskyy’s recent revelation was likely meant to generate public support in the Asia democracy for greater assistance to Ukraine.

In a closed-door meeting with a parliament committee on Wednesday, the spy agency assessed that disclosure was a bid to rally public support “in South Korea in favor of supplying weapons and other assistance to Ukraine,” as confirmed by lawmaker Yoo Yeong-ha who attended the meeting.

Earlier, South Korea’s presidential office demanded an apology from Ukraine, but no apology and official explanation have yet been issued from Kyiv authorities or unofficial channels, Yoo said.

However, it is not clear yet how the intelligence service made its assessment.

South Korea has provided humanitarian aid and support to Ukraine but continues its policy of refraining from sending weapons to countries actively engaged in conflict.

Zelenskyy publicly revealed the transfer during his UN General Assembly address, which South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s administration stated violated a mutual nondisclosure agreement. However, Kyiv denied the existence of such an agreement.

Two North Korean soldiers were captured on the Russia-Ukraine battlefield in early 2025 after being deployed to support Moscow. Seoul and Kyiv later arranged a confidential transfer.

Speaking about North Korea’s response, Pyongyang has not yet publicly commented on this transfer issue.