An apology from Ukraine for publicly disclosing the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea has fallen short of Seoul’s expectations, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told lawmakers Tuesday.

“I cannot say that there was no apology,” Cho said in response to a question from ruling Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Ki-heon during a National Assembly audit.

Cho revealed that he had received a “message containing an apology” (사과의 말도 들어 있는 메시지) from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who reportedly said he was “deeply troubled” (아주 곤혹스러워한다) by the dispute.

“There is a difference from the