Second Vice Foreign Minister Lee Do-hoon is set to become South Korea’s next ambassador to Russia, succeeding Chang Ho-jin, who currently serves as the first vice foreign minister. This reshuffle comes as President Yoon Suk-yeol aims to address South Korea’s relations with Russia, which have deteriorated since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Yoon has been more vocal than his predecessor, and he has aligned more overtly with the U.S. in its rivalry with Russia and China.

Prior to his visit to the U.S., Yoon mentioned the possibility of South Korea providing Ukraine with more than humanitarian aid in the event of a “large-scale attack on civilians, massacre, or serious violation of the laws of war.” Russia has warned that any provision of weapons to Ukraine would make Seoul a party to the conflict. Yoon stated that Seoul’s decision to send weapons to Ukraine depends on Moscow’s actions.