Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: “Yeon’s comments are biased”
Korean government responds, “Russian leader is unreasonable”
Russian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs visits Korea behind closed doors for talks
Korea’s will to manage bilateral relations amid checks and balances
The government summoned the Russian Ambassador to Korea in response to comments made by a spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs who criticized President Yoon Seok-yeol’s remarks pointing out North Korea’s ‘legalization of preemptive use of nuclear weapons’ as “biased.” In response to President Yoon’s remarks, South Korea and Russia engaged in a harsh war of words, criticizing the other leader. As Russia, which is in close contact with North Korea in the ‘Korea-US-Japan versus North Korea-China-Russia’ structure, has stepped up its level of checks, our government has responded accordingly. Russia sent a high-ranking official privately to Korea, which it designated as an ‘unfriendly country’, while also showing its intention to manage the relationship between the two countries.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeong Byeong-won summoned Russian Ambassador to Korea Georgi Zinoviev (pictured) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 3rd, a holiday, and sternly protested against the remarks made by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson. Deputy Minister Jeong said to the Russian side, “It is very regrettable that they ignored the truth and unconditionally protected North Korea while criticizing the leader of the country’s remarks in extremely rude language.”
Earlier, on the 1st (local time), Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mariya Zakharova commented on President Yoon’s remarks while presiding over the Central Unified Defense Conference in Moscow (on the 31st of last month) and said, “President Yoon’s remarks are biased.” He continued, “This is to cover up (South Korea’s) aggressive plans against North Korea,” and “At a time when tensions and conflicts are rising on the Korean Peninsula and its surroundings due to the blatant policies of the United States and its allies, including South Korea and Japan, (the remark was made ) He criticized it as “particularly disgusting.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement just before the summoning of the Russian Ambassador to Korea, “The remarks by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of one country are rude, ignorant and biased below the standard,” and “It is abhorrent by the standards of a country that faithfully adheres to the norms of the international community.” He responded, “It’s sophistry.” He added, “For the Russian leader to refer to the invasion of Ukraine, which is a clear violation of international law, as a ‘special military operation,’ this is nothing more than a far-fetched attempt to mislead the international community.”
Meanwhile, Korea and Russia made public on the 4th that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko had visited Korea. Vice Minister Rudenko, who visited Korea on the 1st, met with First Vice Minister Kim Hong-gyun, Assistant Minister Jeong Byeong-won, and Korean Peninsula Peace Negotiation Director Kim Geon on the 2nd. However, Vice Minister Rudenko’s meeting with Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials and coordination of meeting schedules took place before the statement by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson was announced. It is reported that Russia still denies military cooperation, including arms trade, between North Korea and Russia.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.