Russia issued a warning to South Korea over the expansion of its export control list, which now includes nearly 700 goods potentially usable for military purposes. Seoul’s export restrictions include heavy construction equipment, rechargeable batteries, aeronautical components and certain vehicles. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova described Seoul’s action as “an unfriendly move taken at Washington’s behest.

Zakharova emphasized the potential harm this decision could inflict on South Korea’s own economy and industry. She also hinted that Russia would take retaliatory measures, which may not necessarily be “symmetrical.”