Ukraine says diplomacy must come before emotions after South Korea recalls envoy
In short
Ukraine's foreign ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said on October 8 (local time) that Ukraine remains open to resuming constructive dialogue with South Korea, even if it takes time, despite Seoul's decision to recall Ambassador Park Ki-chang (박기창). He said Ukraine had called the ambassador to its foreign ministry this week to convey its position and that diplomacy should take priority over emotions. The two countries are at odds over whether there was a confidentiality agreement on the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea.
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Ukraine's foreign ministry said on October 8 (local time) that it remains open to resuming constructive dialogue with South Korea despite Seoul's decision to recall its ambassador to Ukraine, Park Ki-chang (박기창). "We are convinced that diplomacy should take priority over emotions," spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said, adding that Ukraine remains open to dialogue even if it takes time, according to Ukrinform as cited by Korean outlets and an English text of the statement cited by Yonhap. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
Tykhyi said Ukraine called the South Korean ambassador to its foreign ministry this week to convey Ukraine's position and seek a constructive solution. He used the word "invited". Yonhap said this was in effect a diplomatic summons described in softer terms, and Kyunghyang Shinmun noted that he used "invite" rather than "summon". [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
South Korea's foreign ministry decided on October 8 to recall Park after Ukraine disclosed the transfer of North Korean prisoners of war without prior consultation, denied a confidential agreement and did not comply with a demand for a public apology, Newsis and Dong-A Ilbo reported. The dispute followed President Volodymyr Zelensky's disclosure that two North Korean prisoners of war had been sent to South Korea. Tykhyi said a day earlier that the open criticism between the two countries stemmed from different interpretations of an agreement on how confidentiality would be kept. Yonhap said this repeated Ukraine's position that disclosing only the fact of the transfer did not breach the agreement. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
The two sides also differ on whether Ukraine has apologised. Yonhap reported that Foreign Minister Cho Hyun (조현) said an apology had been conveyed through diplomatic channels, and told a parliamentary audit on October 6 that Ukraine's apology fell short of the government's expectations. Tykhyi said Ukraine had expressed regret that the situation had reached the point of exchanging critical remarks. He said diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation are under way through private channels and that remarks which could hinder a diplomatic solution are inappropriate. South Korea's foreign ministry said on October 8 that it hopes the issues will be resolved smoothly and will continue consultations with Ukraine. [ 1 ]
According to Newsis, Dong-A Ilbo and Kyunghyang Shinmun, it is the first time South Korea has recalled an ambassador in 18 years. Kyunghyang Shinmun said the last time was in July 2008, when Seoul recalled its ambassador to Japan, Kwon Chul-hyun (권철현), after Japan included a claim to Dokdo in a textbook guide. Park plans to return as early as this weekend and report in person to Cho early next week, Newsis and Dong-A Ilbo reported. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Chosun Ilbo also reported that Tykhyi confirmed Ukraine had raised, in private diplomatic communication, an allegation by the Guardian that South Korea had supplied energy to Russia, and that he said Ukraine has its own data on such activity. [ 4 ]
Why it matters
Newsis, Dong-A Ilbo and Kyunghyang Shinmun reported that this is the first time in 18 years that South Korea has recalled an ambassador, the last time being in 2008 over a Japanese claim to Dokdo. Kyunghyang Shinmun described a recall as a more serious protest than summoning a foreign ambassador, though short of cutting diplomatic ties. Both governments say they want to keep talking, but they still disagree on what was agreed and whether Ukraine has apologised.
Key facts
- South Korea's foreign ministry decided on October 8 to recall Ambassador to Ukraine Park Ki-chang. [ 2 , 3 , 6 ]
- Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said Ukraine is convinced diplomacy should take priority over emotions. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Tykhyi said Ukraine remains open to resuming constructive dialogue despite the recall, even if it takes time. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Tykhyi said Ukraine called the South Korean ambassador to its foreign ministry this week to convey its position and seek a constructive solution, using the word 'invited'. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- The dispute followed President Volodymyr Zelensky's disclosure that two North Korean prisoners of war had been sent to South Korea. [ 2 , 3 , 6 ]
- It is South Korea's first recall of an ambassador since 2008, when it recalled its ambassador to Japan over a Dokdo claim. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Ambassador Park plans to return as early as this weekend and report in person to Foreign Minister Cho Hyun (조현) early next week. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Tykhyi said diplomacy should take priority over emotions and that Ukraine remains open to constructive dialogue despite the recall. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Ukraine called the South Korean ambassador to its foreign ministry this week to convey its position. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- South Korea decided to recall Ambassador Park Ki-chang. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- South Korea had demanded a public apology from Ukraine, which Ukraine did not give. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- This is South Korea's first ambassador recall in 18 years, since 2008. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Tykhyi said the dispute stems from different interpretations of an agreement on how confidentiality would be kept. [ 1 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Ukraine has apologised to South Korea. Yonhap reported that Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said an apology was conveyed through diplomatic channels, while Tykhyi described the message as an expression of regret, neither confirming nor denying an apology.
- Whether the two countries had a confidentiality agreement and whether Ukraine breached it. South Korea says there was a confidential agreement; Ukraine denied this, according to several outlets, and Yonhap reported Ukraine's position that disclosing only the fact of the transfer did not breach the agreement.
- Whether Ukraine's 'invitation' of the ambassador amounted to a summons. Yonhap said it was in effect a summons described in softer terms; Kyunghyang Shinmun noted the spokesman used 'invite' rather than 'summon'.
- Tykhyi confirmed Ukraine raised, in private diplomatic communication, a Guardian allegation that South Korea had supplied energy to Russia, and said Ukraine has its own data on such activity. Reported only by Chosun Ilbo.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Yonhap reports Ukraine's response to the recall on October 9 local time, including the dispute over whether Ukraine apologised. [ 1 ]
- Newsis reports Tykhyi's remarks, citing Ukrinform, and says Ambassador Park may return as early as this weekend. [ 2 ]
- Chosun Ilbo reports Tykhyi's comments, including on the Guardian energy allegation. [ 4 ]
- Kyunghyang Shinmun notes the spokesman used 'invite' rather than 'summon' for the ambassador's meeting. [ 5 ]