Korean affairs scholar Konstantin Asmolov said possible secret arrangements for South Korean assistance or specialists in Ukraine could complicate Seoul’s dialogue with Moscow. His comments came amid a diplomatic dispute between South Korea and Ukraine.
South Korea’s foreign ministry announced on October 8 that it would recall its ambassador from Kyiv for consultations, without giving a return date, the Associated Press reported. The move came amid a dispute over the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had publicly said they were sent to South Korea. Seoul viewed the disclosure as a breach of a confidentiality arrangement, while Kyiv denied that such an agreement existed.
Asmolov told Lenta.ru that disclosure of any alleged arrangements between Seoul and Kyiv to provide aid or specialists could leave South Korea with less room for dialogue with Moscow. He said the two sides try to maintain channels of communication even though Russia designates South Korea as an unfriendly state. His comments were an assessment, not confirmation that secret arrangements exist.
Lenta.ru also cited a Ukrainian official’s allegation that 176,000 tonnes of fuel, including diesel, had allegedly been sent to Russia in secret and that this breached sanctions. The report did not provide independent confirmation of the allegation. The issue has added to tensions between Kyiv and Seoul.
South Korea’s foreign ministry said it would continue consultations with Ukraine and hoped the disagreements could be resolved. The Associated Press reported that the ministry did not say when the ambassador would return from Seoul and that the South Korean embassy in Kyiv would continue operating.