Ukrainian veteran says South Korean president is 'not in a position to threaten' Zelensky

Ukrainian rescue workers operate at the scene of a Russian strike on a medical facility in central Kyiv on Monday (local time), as Russia's invasion continues. [EPA]
Ukrainian rescue workers operate at the scene of a Russian strike on a medical facility in central Kyiv on Monday (local time), as Russia's invasion continues. [EPA]

A prominent Ukrainian veteran who fought against Russia has spoken out over the controversy surrounding the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea.

Bohdan Krotevych, 33, a former commander of Ukraine's Azov Regiment, wrote in an English-language post on X on Friday (local time) that "the Korean president is not in a position to threaten anyone, especially the president of Ukraine."

Krotevych said he wanted to "remind" people "that for Koreans, the word 'martial law' itself causes more fear than any actual military action or provocation by North Korea." He added: "No offense, but the Korean president should carefully think about who he is talking to and what he is saying. If Korea gets attacked, the day may come when Ukraine proves to be one of Korea's few real allies."

Krotevych also wrote that "as today's reality clearly shows, what matters most in a crisis is not having allies that exist only on paper, but having real allies who will stand by your side."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky [Getty Images]
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky [Getty Images]

The remarks came amid a diplomatic dispute that erupted after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly disclosed at the UN General Assembly last month that two North Korean soldiers held as prisoners of war in Ukraine had been repatriated to South Korea — a revelation that triggered accusations of a broken agreement.

President Lee Jae-myung wrote on X on Friday that Ukraine had requested the transfer be kept confidential and that both sides had agreed to that condition, only for Kyiv to announce it unilaterally. Lee said that when he expressed his disappointment "as politely as possible," Ukraine denied any such agreement had been made, effectively calling the South Korean head of state a liar.

Lee warned that he would "take further measures" if Ukraine continued to refuse to acknowledge the facts and issue a public apology, calling it a matter of national dignity that "cannot be overlooked." Some have raised the possibility of recalling South Korea's Ambassador to Ukraine Park Ki-chang in response.

Krotevych, who directed his post at Lee, retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel after resigning as chief of staff of the Azov Regiment in February. He gained recognition for his role in the defense of Mariupol against Russian forces. The Azov Regiment has its roots in a far-right paramilitary organization.

Meanwhile, South Korea's construction and industrial sectors are watching closely to see whether the diplomatic row could affect their prospects for contracts tied to Ukraine's postwar reconstruction, a market estimated to be worth hundreds of trillions of won.


hope@heraldcorp.com