AdvertisementAdvertisementEast AsiaSouth Korea's President Lee Jae Myung (left) and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (Photos: Reuters/Ahn Young-joon, Caitlin Ochs)08 Oct 2026 05:20PM Bookmark Bookmark WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedInAdd CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results.Read a summary of this article on FAST.Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST SEOUL: South Korea said on Thursday (Oct 8) it will recall its ambassador to Ukraine in response to a deepening diplomatic row over the transfer of North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul.The decision comes as the two countries have been at loggerheads since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sparked anger in Seoul by disclosing the transfer of the prisoners, who were captured on the battlefield early last year.It also follows a report this week alleging that more than 176,000 tonnes of fuel, mostly diesel, had been shipped from South Korea to Russia in July and August, sparking accusations Seoul was helping alleviate Russian fuel shortages."The government has decided to recall its ambassador to Ukraine," the foreign ministry said in a statement."The government hopes that all outstanding issues between the two countries will be resolved amicably and will continue consultations with the Ukrainian side to that end."Seoul has summoned Kyiv's ambassador and threatened unspecified "further measures", while President Lee Jae Myung has demanded an official apology over concerns that the disclosure could put the POWs' families at risk.Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga has referred to the incident as a "diplomatic misunderstanding".South Korea exports eased Russia fuel crisis caused by drone strikes, Ukraine saysCNA Explains: Why is South Korea angry with Ukraine over two North Korean POWs?Source: AFP/nhNewsletterWeek in ReviewSubscribe to our Chief Editor’s Week in ReviewOur chief editor shares analysis and picks of the week's biggest news every Saturday.NewsletterMorning BriefSubscribe to CNA’s Morning BriefAn automated curation of our top stories to start your day.Sign up for our newslettersGet our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inboxSubscribe hereGet the CNA appStay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best storiesDownload hereGet WhatsApp alertsJoin our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat appJoin hereAlso worth readingContent is loading...Expand to read the full storyGet bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST