South Korea has demanded an official explanation and apology from Ukraine, expressing “strong regret” after Kyiv unilaterally disclosed the repatriation of two North Korean prisoners of war and then claimed the two countries had never agreed to keep the matter confidential.

In a statement released Sunday, the Blue House said Kyiv had violated an agreement with Seoul by publicly disclosing the repatriation without prior consultation or notice, and then issued what they described as a “false statement (거짓사실)” denying the existence of a non-disclosure agreement.

Blue House Senior Secretary for Public Relations Seong Ghi-hong said Ukraine had repeatedly discussed the