President Yoon Suk Yeol recently expressed his stance on the possibility of a summit between North Korea and Russia amidst their cooperative relationship. He stated, “We will manage our relationship with Russia, cooperating on issues where we can and opposing or being cautious depending on the different stances, while striving for a harmonious relationship that pursues economic cooperation and mutual benefits.”
During a press conference for the second anniversary of his inauguration held at the presidential office on the 9th, President Yoon stated the above while describing Russia as a “country that has had a good relationship with us for a long time.”
President Yoon explained, “Recently, we have been in an uncomfortable relationship due to differing positions regarding the Ukraine war and imports of North Korean weapons.”
In response to suspicions that North Korea provided weapons to Russia, President Yoon stated, “We have a firm policy of not supporting offensive weapons anywhere when supporting Ukraine. North Korea’s export of offensive weapons not only supports the illegal conduct of the war in Ukraine but also violates the UN Security Council’s resolutions on the sanctions due to North Korea’s nuclear program. In response, we are taking necessary measures through the UN and the international community.”
