{"id":2205386,"date":"2024-06-07T08:00:42","date_gmt":"2024-06-06T23:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2205386"},"modified":"2024-06-06T12:12:05","modified_gmt":"2024-06-06T03:12:05","slug":"putins-praise-for-seouls-ukraine-stance-raises-eyebrows-risks-for-south-korea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/06\/putins-praise-for-seouls-ukraine-stance-raises-eyebrows-risks-for-south-korea\/","title":{"rendered":"Putin\u2019s praise for Seoul\u2019s Ukraine stance raises eyebrows, risks for South Korea"},"content":{"rendered":"
Russian leader Vladimir Putin <\/span>expressed appreciation<\/span><\/a> that South Korea has not directly supplied weapons to Ukraine despite joining U.S.-led sanctions against Russia. During a press conference at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Wednesday, Putin expressed readiness to restore relations with Seoul, stating that channels remain open from Russia\u2019s side and that the choice to improve relations lies with South Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n Putin also reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening ties with North Korea, stating his belief that the nuclear issue will be resolved if threats to Pyongyang are eliminated.<\/span><\/p>\n Why It Matters<\/b><\/p>\n Putin\u2019s statement draws unwanted attention to South Korea. During a <\/span>press conference<\/span><\/a> in May, President Yoon Suk-yeol sidestepped critical questions about South Korea\u2019s stance on Russia. When pressed about what actions by Moscow would cross a \u201cred line,\u201d considering Russia\u2019s <\/span>purchase and use<\/span><\/a> of North Korean weapons in Ukraine, Yoon instead emphasized the need to manage relations on a case-by-case basis while pursuing economic ties and shared interests.<\/span><\/p>\n Previously, Yoon described Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine as \u201cillegal\u201d and also hinted that South Korea could provide direct military aid to Ukraine if \u201c<\/span>any large-scale attack on civilians<\/span><\/a>\u201d were to take place.<\/span><\/p>\n Yoon\u2019s shift in tone and his apparent willingness to improve relations with Russia may draw scrutiny from Western partners and hinder South Korea\u2019s efforts to gain support against North Korea\u2019s provocations as the country <\/span>chairs the U.N. Security Council<\/span><\/a>. This could undermine South Korea\u2019s aspirations to become a \u201cGlobal Pivotal State\u201d and its ability to rally international support for its own security concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n