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| Russian ambassador to South Korea Andrey Kulik speaks during a press conference explaining his country's stance on the invasion of Ukraine at the Russian Embassy in central Seoul, Monday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk |
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Russia's ambassador to South Korea expressed deep regret over the country's participation in global sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
"South Korea joining the sanctions is not a 'happy news' for us," Ambassador Andrey Kulik said through an interpreter during a news conference held at the Russian embassy in central Seoul, Monday.
Last week, the South Korean government announced its participation in international sanctions against Russia. On Monday, the foreign ministry announced that South Korea joined international sanctions to block some Russian banks from a global payments system.
"Considering Korea's national interests, I see no reason for South Korea joining the sanctions against Russia. The only factor pushing South Korea to impose sanctions against Russia is the strong external influence," he claimed.
The Russian envoy insisted that South Korea "yielding to international pressure" and joining the sanctions would completely change the trajectory of bilateral relations.
"For the past 30 years, the relations between Russia and South Korea have developed only in a positive way. Recently, South Korea's New Northern Policy has fueled the development of bilateral ties even more, so the situation is deeply regrettable," Kulik said.
"Economic sanctions damage those who impose sanctions as well. According to the U.N. charter, the only authority which can impose economic sanctions is the U.N. Security Council, not a single country. So there is the illegality of the current imposition of sanctions against Russia."
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| Russian ambassador to South Korea Andrey Kulik speaks during a press conference explaining his country's stance on the invasion of Ukraine at the Russian Embassy in central Seoul, Monday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk |
Kulik also noted that the South's decision might influence trilateral joint projects between South Korea, North Korea and Russia.
"There are some trilateral economic projects we have been pushing for together such as a gas pipeline, railway and electricity. These joints projects are closely related to inter-Korean relations, peace on the Korean peninsula and security issues. Imposing economic bans on Russia certainly wouldn't help these cooperative projects."
The Russian ambassador stuck with his government's position on the invasion of Ukraine, saying that Russia invaded the neighboring country only to counter security concerns due to the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Russian army only targeted military infrastructure in Ukraine.
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