Fractured Diplomacy: Russia—South Korea Relations at Sixes and Sevens

Since 2022, relations between Russia and South Korea have steadily deteriorated due to war in Ukraine. Seoul condemned Russia and supported international sanctions, prompting Moscow to label South Korea an “unfriendly state” and accuse it of supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Seoul is deeply concerned about the military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, which could escalate tensions on the Korean peninsula. Relations between Moscow and Seoul are now at their lowest point in the history of bilateral relations.