S. Korean opposition blames President for bolstering Russia-DPRK ties

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 Sep 2023 22:14

South Korea has expressed concern over the summit held on Wednesday between Russian President Vladimir Putin and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un.

A TV screen in Seoul shows an image of the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and DPRK leader Kim Jong-Un on Sept. 13, 2023. (AP)

South Korea's primary opposition party, the Democratic Party, accused on Thursday President Yoon Suk-yeol from the ruling People Power Party of being responsible for fostering closer ties between Russia and the DPRK due to his ideological approach to diplomacy.

South Korea has expressed concern over the summit held on Wednesday between Russian President Vladimir Putin and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un.

The spokesperson for the Russian presidency stated that the two leaders discussed regional and global matters during the meeting.

Additionally, Putin accepted an invitation from Kim to visit DPRK.

"President Yoon Suk-yeol is the one who made the summit happen. The ideology- and faction-oriented diplomacy of the Yoon administration has led to military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. The president openly provoked Russia at international diplomatic forums until it focused on ties with North Korea," Democratic Party spokesman Kwon Chil-seung was quoted as saying by the Chosun Ilbo daily.

Democratic Party floor leader Park Gwang-on said that President Yoon's approach to the DPRK, which he described as "rigid and one-sided," had contributed to the DPRK and Russia developing closer ties.

He emphasized that ensuring peace on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia would be challenging if Seoul continued to isolate Pyongyang.

Russia has been a supporter and ally of the DPRK for decades, which goes back to the founding of the DPRK 75 years ago -- commemorated last week.

A week ago, before the meeting, DPRK Ambassador to Moscow Sin Hong Chol stated that the DPRK plans to increase military coordination with Russia in its fight against "a common enemy".