S. Korea to partially withdraw diplomatic staff from Ukraine amid airstrike threat, diplomatic dispute

South Korea has decided to partially withdraw its diplomatic staff from Ukraine amid airstrike threats across Ukraine and diplomatic dispute between the two countries, the South Korean foreign ministry said Tuesday.

Park Doo-soon, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also told the press briefing that there had been no proactive measures from the Ukrainian side even after the recall of the South Korean ambassador. South Korea escalated diplomatic response after the dispute over Ukraine's public disclosure of repatriating prisoners of war from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to South Korea.

Park noted that essential diplomatic communication between the two countries will be maintained under an acting ambassador, adding that all consular staff will remain in Ukraine to ensure the protection and safety of South Korean nationals residing in Ukraine.