Seoul summons Russian ambassador after Moscow's statements on inter-Korean tensions

Photo: Jung Yeon-je Agence France-Presse Nuclear-armed North Korea this year declared Seoul its “primary enemy,” shut down agencies dedicated to reunification and outreach, and threatened war over “even 0.001 millimeters” of d territorial offense.

France Media Agency in Seoul

12:23 p.m.

• Asia

South Korea summoned Russia's ambassador to Seoul, Georgy Zinoviev, on Saturday to protest “rude and ignorant” remarks after Moscow's Foreign Ministry accused Seoul of being Seoul partly responsible for growing tension on the Korean peninsula.

The Foreign Ministry told Zinoviev that it was “deeply regrettable that the Russian side unconditionally supported North Korea while turning a blind eye to the truth” and “criticized the South Korean leader’s statements in highly disrespectful language.”

Such actions by Moscow “only further aggravate relations between South Korea and Russia,” he added.

The ministry previously called comments by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova “rude, ignorant and biased below the level required by a Foreign Ministry spokesperson foreigners of a country”.

“These remarks ignore the obvious and objective reality of North Korea's threatening rhetoric and continued provocations that are sparking tensions on the Korean Peninsula and the region,” the ministry said in a statement sent Saturday evening to AFP.

Earlier this week, Maria Zakharova said the tension was “mainly due to the brazen policies of the United States and its allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan,” referring to South Korea by its official name.

Seoul “does not seem to realize that the dominant position of the United States is irrevocably becoming a thing of the past,” and that the South “may turn out to be little more than small change of exchange in Washington's geopolitical games”, she added.

Nuclear-armed North Korea this year declared Seoul its “primary enemy,” closed agencies dedicated to reunification and outreach, and threatened war for “not -what 0.001 millimeter” of territorial infraction.

Russia, for its part, has established close ties with Pyongyang. Seoul and Washington say North Korea shipped weapons to Moscow for use in its war against Ukraine.

Washington and Seoul say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shipped weapons to Moscow, despite United Nations sanctions prohibiting such actions.

Mr. Kim made a rare trip to Russia in September to meet with President Vladimir Putin, who in return is expected to visit Pyongyang.