'Mutual respect and faithful implementation of agreements are prerequisites for bilateral ties'

Ukraine minister says two sides 'spoke frankly about the unfortunate incidents'

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun (right) and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha [Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun (right) and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha [Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Paris on Tuesday (local time) on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers' meeting, saying he hoped "all pending issues between the two countries will be resolved smoothly." Tensions between Seoul and Kyiv had flared after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly disclosed at the UN General Assembly in September that Ukraine had transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cho said mutual respect, trust and faithful implementation of agreements between nations are the basic prerequisites for developing bilateral relations. The remarks were widely read as a reference to Seoul's demand for an apology and assurances against recurrence after Ukraine broke a confidential agreement on the transfer of North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea.

Sybiha said in response that the two sides should continue their diplomatic efforts to manage and develop bilateral relations in a stable manner.

It was the first face-to-face meeting between the two ministers since South Korea recalled Ambassador Park Ki-chang from Kyiv on Oct. 8 and withdrew half of its embassy staff on Oct. 20.

Cho said South Korea's principled stance on supporting Ukraine remains unchanged and that Seoul will continue to explore ways to provide humanitarian assistance and support reconstruction efforts for the Ukrainian people.

Sybiha expressed gratitude for South Korea's support and said Ukraine hopes to work closely with the international community, including South Korea, toward peace.

Sybiha told Reuters after the meeting that it had gone well. "We had a good meeting. I'm glad that our relations are getting back on track," he said.

In a separate interview with Ukrainian state television, Sybiha said the two countries "deserve a dynamic and high-level bilateral relationship." He described the talks with Cho as "a really good conversation," adding that the two sides "spoke frankly about the unfortunate incidents and facts that occurred recently."


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