SEOUL, Jun 27 (IANS) Russia should not make a mistake that could damage its relations with South Korea “irreversibly,” a Seoul official warned on Thursday, in an exchange of words after Moscow warned against Seoul hinting at possible arms support for Ukraine.
The Seoul Foreign Ministry’s comment came a day after Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, warned South Korea against taking rash steps that could lead to an irreversible outcome for bilateral relations, Yonhap news agency reported.
Zakharova’s comments came in response to remarks by South Korean national security adviser Chang Ho-jin that South Korea could consider supplying arms to kyiv depending on Moscow’s actions in following up on the treaty it signed with North Korea on mutual defence commitment.
“We warn that Russia must not make a mistake that could lead to irreversible consequences in South Korea-Russia relations,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lim Soo-suk said at a regular news conference.
“Furthermore, we hope that the Russian side will stop relying on North Korea and act appropriately as a permanent member of the UN Security Council,” Lim added.
Tensions have risen after Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared an improvement in relations between their countries following talks in Pyongyang last week.
The new treaty commits them to provide mutual military assistance should either of them come under armed attack.
South Korea has expressed serious concerns over increasing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea in violation of UN resolutions, urging Moscow to act responsibly and cut such military ties with Pyongyang.
Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said South Korean Ambassador to Russia Lee Do-hoon met Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko in Moscow on Wednesday (local time) and heard Moscow’s position. on the new association treaty with North Korea.
At the meeting, Lee stressed that any cooperation that helps North Korea’s weapons buildup poses serious threats to security in the region, and called for a clear explanation from Russia about its actions.
Russia regretted South Korea’s reaction to Putin’s visit to Pyongyang, reiterating that its cooperation with North Korea is not directed at Seoul and that the treaty is defensive, according to Seoul’s Foreign Ministry.
–IANOS
int/khz
