South Korea has decided to withdraw some diplomatic personnel from its embassy in Ukraine due to security threats and growing diplomatic tensions between the two countries, the South Korean Foreign Ministry announced.

The ministry said the withdrawal was partial, with consular staff remaining in Ukraine to continue providing assistance and protection services for South Korean citizens.

Diplomatic communication between Seoul and Kyiv will continue under the leadership of the chargé d’affaires, the ministry added.

Security concerns behind decision

In a statement, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said the security situation in Ukraine remained a major concern, noting that the threat of air attacks across the country continues and makes ensuring the safety of diplomatic personnel increasingly difficult.

The ministry emphasized that the move was not a complete withdrawal from Ukraine, but a temporary reduction of diplomatic staff due to security conditions.

South Korea has maintained diplomatic representation in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war and has continued efforts to support its citizens and monitor developments in the region.

Diplomatic dispute with Kyiv

The decision also comes amid rising tensions between Seoul and Kyiv over a diplomatic dispute involving North Korean prisoners of war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced at the end of September that the issue of transferring North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine to South Korea had been discussed publicly.

South Korea considered the disclosure a violation of diplomatic understandings between the two countries and recalled its ambassador to Ukraine on October 8.

The latest decision to withdraw some diplomatic personnel follows the deterioration in relations after the dispute.

Relations affected by North Korea issue

South Korea has closely monitored developments involving North Korean troops reportedly participating in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Seoul has previously warned that any military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow could pose a broader security threat and has expressed concerns over the transfer of military experience and technology between the two countries.

The diplomatic disagreement with Ukraine comes as South Korea continues to balance security concerns related to North Korea with its international partnerships.

Despite the tensions, Seoul has said that communication channels with Kyiv will remain open and that essential consular services for South Korean citizens in Ukraine will continue.(ILKHA)