Russia unexpectedly became a “strategic partner” for South Korea
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul called Russia a “strategic partner,” according to the Telegram channel of the Russian-Asian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.
As noted in the post, after the start of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, relations between Moscow and Seoul became significantly more complicated for a variety of reasons.
“Of course, in Seoul they did not take a pronounced anti-Russian position, as in Tokyo, and yet. Everything became even more complicated after the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the DPRK and in general against the backdrop of strengthening ties between the Russian Federation and North Korea. There haven’t been many positive signals lately – but they are there,” the article says.
It is noted that South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul said that he hopes to prevent a further deterioration in his country’s ties with Moscow. His main argument is Seoul’s permanent refusal to supply weapons to Ukraine. Analysts are inclined to believe that South Korea is in no hurry to break off relations with Russia, as it is aware of its role, including in the issue of security on the Korean Peninsula, and in the Asia-Pacific region in general. Actually, this is what Cho Tae-yul says: “Russia is a strategic partner that can play an important role in the problem of the Korean Peninsula, and our security and economic interests are at stake,” this is a quote.
The minister noted and one more important thing — regarding the need to protect Koreans in Russia, as well as their business. “For this reason, communication at the required level with Moscow is absolutely necessary,” he said.
At the same time, Cho Tae-yul claims that it will be impossible to return bilateral ties to the level they were before the North Military District, and Russia’s partnership with the DPRK will obviously only develop.
“In fairness, it is worth noting that and Moscow is not too happy with Seoul’s too close military ties with Washington and Tokyo. And in general, from the very beginning, the Russian Northern Military District did not do anything bad to the South Koreans,” says the RASPP article.
The opinion of South Korean experts is interesting. They are inclined to think that Moscow and Seoul do not want a further deterioration in relations, and the South Korean authorities are signaling to the Kremlin that they do not want an escalation of tension. However, the signals also go in the opposite direction — the Russian leadership calls South Korea “the most friendly among unfriendly countries,” while President Vladimir Putin said that Seoul will make a “big mistake” if it decides to supply weapons to Ukraine.
“For business, this means that, in general, the status quo in bilateral relations has developed and quite possibly will continue – that is, there are opportunities for business cooperation,” writes RASPP.