South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Thursday that his country would maintain a "smooth" relationship with Russia despite being in "uncomfortable" ties with Moscow due to its involvement in the Ukraine conflict and purchase of North Korean weapons.
Yoon said at a press conference in Seoul that South Korea is "doing its best" to provide humanitarian and reconstruction aid to Ukraine "in accordance with the spirit of the constitution," but will adhere to its policy of not providing offensive, lethal weapons to any nation, including Kyiv, Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency reported.
Despite its uncomfortable relationship with Russia, Seoul plans to cooperate with Moscow in the economy and other areas of mutual interest, he added.
“As for our relationship with Russia, we will cooperate on a case-by-case basis, and we may oppose or be wary,” Yoon was quoted as saying by the news agency.
“Russia is a country with which we have had a good relationship for a long time,” he went on to say.
However, due to the Ukraine-Russia war, he said Seoul and Moscow have differing positions on North Korean weapon exports.
“North Korea's export of offensive weapons not only supports the illegal waging of war in relation to Ukraine but also clearly violates UN Security Council sanctions resolutions related to North Korea's nuclear weapons,” Yoon said.
But Seoul will manage its relationship with Moscow as smoothly as possible, taking into account position differences, he added.
The South Korean leader avoided answering a question as to what he would consider a “red line” for his country to review its non-lethal weapons policy on Ukraine.
