Russia’s potential military cooperation with North Korea has sharply escalated tensions with South Korea. Lim Soo-seok, the ROK foreign ministry spokesperson, highlighted the significant negative implications such a partnership could have for Moscow-Seoul ties. However, a key challenge for South Korea in reacting to Russia’s military overtures to the DPRK lies in its heavy reliance on Russian energy. This dependence gives Moscow a potential upper hand, with the capability to use energy exports as a strategic lever.

Even as diplomatic engagements continue, exemplified by the recent meetingbetween ROK foreign minister Park Jin and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, a