SEOUL: South Korea has summoned Russia’s ambassador to protest against what it deemed “rude and ignorant” remarks from Moscow’s foreign ministry, blaming Seoul for escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula, AFP reported.
The diplomatic move comes after Russia formed closer ties with North Korea, prompting concerns from South Korea and the United States about potential weapon shipments to Moscow for use in the conflict with Ukraine.
Moscow’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, recently attributed the heightened tension on the Korean peninsula to the “brazen policy of the United States and its allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan,” referring to South Korea by its official name. Zakharova’s comments were made in response to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s characterization of North Korea as the only country legislating the preemptive use of nuclear weapons.
South Korea Expresses Regret Over Russia’s Support for North Korea
In a statement, South Korea’s foreign ministry expressed deep regret over Russia’s unconditional support for North Korea while dismissing the truth. The ministry criticized Zakharova’s statements as “rude, ignorant, and biased below the level of a country’s foreign ministry spokesperson,” emphasizing that Moscow’s actions could further strain the relationship between South Korea and Russia.
The statement also highlighted that Zakharova’s comments ignored the objective reality of North Korea’s threatening rhetoric and continuous provocations, contributing to heightened tensions in the region. Analysts have recently warned of North Korea potentially testing cruise missiles before sending them to Russia for use in Ukraine, despite UN sanctions prohibiting such transfers.
