South Korea to withdraw some Kyiv embassy staff as row over POW transfer deepens

South Korea says it will withdraw some staff from its embassy in Kyiv, deepening a diplomatic row over Ukraine’s announcement last month of a transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war that Seoul says was meant to be secretByKIM TONG-HYUNG Associated PressOctober 20, 2026, 3:29 AMSEOUL, South Korea -- South Korea said Tuesday it will withdraw some staff from its embassy in Kyiv, deepening a diplomatic row over Ukraine's announcement last month of a transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war that Seoul says was meant to be secret.The diplomatic dispute between the countries began after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed the prisoners’ transfer during a Sept. 23 speech at the United Nations. South Korea has accused Ukraine of violating a nondisclosure agreement, but Ukraine denies the countries reached such a deal, further angering Seoul.South Korea recalled its ambassador to Ukraine earlier this month in protest. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi told local media at the time that Kyiv remains open to “constructive dialogue” and that “diplomacy must prevail over emotions.”South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson Park Doosoon said Tuesday th...