Seoul calls in Russia envoy over criticism of President Yoon's remarks
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This diplomatic row is triggered by remarks made by the South Korean President over DPRK's "pursuit of a nuclear arsenal."
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Kim Gunn, special representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security, speaks at the Foreign Ministry in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. (AP)
The foreign ministry of South Korea stated that the country has summoned Russian diplomats, including the ambassador, to voice complaints over Moscow's criticism of President Yoon Suk Yeol's remarks about the DPRK's alleged pursuit of a nuclear arsenal.
Chung Byung-won, South Korea's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, summoned Ambassador Georgy Zinoviev yesterday to say that Moscow critiquing Yoon's remarks would only negatively impact the relationship between the two countries, according to the Ministry.
In its statement, the Ministry revealed that "Deputy Minister Chung said that it was very regrettable that Russia ignored the truth and unconditionally protected North Korea while criticizing the leader's remarks in extremely rude language, and emphasized that this would only worsen Korea-Russia relations."
Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has strengthened his country's relationship with the DPRK, since the beginning of the war in Ukraine in 2022. This, of course, triggered the United States and its allies who alleged that the DPRK has been delivering missiles to Russia as support in the war in Ukraine.
Seoul's Foreign Ministry said today that Chung had met with Russia's visiting Deputy Foreign Minister, Andrei Rudenko, on Friday and affirmed Seoul's stern stance on the "military cooperation" between the DPRK and Russia. Kim Gunn, Seoul's nuclear envoy, also met with Rudenko. The Ministry announced as well that Chung and Rudenko discussed other matters, including the war in Ukraine.
On the other hand, Russia's Foreign Ministry stated today that "an exchange of views" occurred during Rudenko's meetings in Seoul with Chung and other officials, adding that "the Russian side has expressed serious concerns regarding the sharp escalation of tensions in the subregion."
"It was clearly stated that its main source is the irresponsible provocative policy of Washington, which, for its own geopolitical purposes, is trying to encourage regional allies to implement their aggressive plans, fraught with unpredictable consequences, including in the military sphere," the Russian Foreign Ministry's statement explained.
The comments in question
On Wednesday, Yoon told a group of defense and security officials, "The North Korean regime is going through fire and water solely for the sake of maintaining its hereditary totalitarian regime, while blatantly ignoring international law and UN Security Council resolutions by trading arms with Russia," which prompted the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, to describe those remarks as "blatantly biased".
Zakharova also told reporters that the comments "look particularly odious," amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula, "primarily due to the brazen policy of the United States and its allies, including (South) Korea and Japan."
Russia has rejected the military cooperation claims
Russia denied claims of military cooperation with the DPRK, opposing accusations brought forth by the United States.
On January 26, in a news conference, Zakharova rejected all such claims and accused the US of fabricating the narrative to get South Korea's backing in the war in Ukraine
Zakharova said South Korea started contemplating sending aid to Ukraine after rumors of cooperation with the DPRK had circulated, and that the US has two purposes in spreading these rumors: First, to obtain missing aid for Ukraine, and second, to establish a military base in the Asia Pacific.
She asserted, "Russia has the right to develop friendly relations with North Korea. Cooperation with this country has long-standing historical roots, does not threaten the security of neighboring states, and is time-tested."
