South Korea summoned Russia’s ambassador to Seoul to protest against a defense agreement signed by President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, which includes a pledge to come to each other’s aid if attacked. Seoul urged Russia to stop military cooperation with North Korea and comply with UN Security Council resolutions. South Korea emphasized the importance of Russia, as a permanent member of the Security Council, to live up to its responsibilities and not support North Korea, as it would harm security and negatively impact Korea-Russia relations.
North Korea has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its banned nuclear program, with the measures initially supported by Russia. However, Putin stated in Pyongyang that these sanctions should be reviewed. The alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang has grown closer since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. South Korea, a major weapons exporter, announced that it would reconsider its policy that bars supplying arms directly to Ukraine in response to the mutual defense agreement between North Korea and Russia. Putin cautioned South Korea against this decision, calling it a “big mistake.”
The summoning of Russia’s Ambassador Georgy Zinoviev occurred shortly after the signing of the “comprehensive strategic partnership” agreement between Putin and Kim Jong Un. This agreement raised concerns in Seoul due to the potential violation of UN sanctions against North Korea. Putin’s statement that Moscow did not rule out military and technical cooperation with North Korea, including sending weapons, further escalated tensions. Seoul emphasized the need for Russia to comply with Security Council resolutions and warned against actions that would jeopardize security and relations with South Korea.
The foreign ministry in South Korea reiterated its call for Russia to stop military cooperation with North Korea and comply with UN Security Council resolutions, highlighting the negative impact of violating sanctions on security and bilateral relations. North Korea has been a long-time ally of Russia, with their relationship growing closer following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. South Korea’s announcement that it would reconsider its policy on arms exports to Ukraine was met with a warning from Putin, who stated that it would be a significant mistake. The situation surrounding the defense agreement between Russia and North Korea remains tense, with Seoul emphasizing the importance of Russia’s adherence to international agreements.
The tension between South Korea and Russia escalated following the defense agreement signed between Putin and Kim Jong Un, which included a commitment to mutual defense assistance. Putin’s comments about the potential for military cooperation with North Korea raised concerns about violations of UN sanctions. South Korea urged Russia to fulfill its responsibilities as a permanent member of the Security Council and refrain from supporting North Korea. The alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang has strengthened in recent years, prompting South Korea to reconsider its policy on arms exports to Ukraine, a move that Putin warned against.
Seoul expressed its concerns over the defense agreement signed between Russia and North Korea, urging Russia to halt military cooperation with Pyongyang and comply with UN Security Council resolutions. Putin’s willingness to explore military and technical cooperation with North Korea raised questions about the violation of sanctions. South Korea emphasized the need for Russia to uphold international agreements and warned of the potential negative impact on security and bilateral relations. Putin cautioned South Korea against reconsidering its policy on arms exports to Ukraine, indicating that it would be a significant error.
