Seoul, South Korea – A diplomatic dispute is brewing between South Korea and Russia following the Russian embassy in Seoul’s decision to display a large banner proclaiming “Victory will be ours” ahead of the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine. The South Korean government has formally requested the embassy remove the banner, citing its incompatibility with Seoul’s stance on the ongoing conflict.
The roughly 15-meter banner, prominently displayed on the embassy’s outer wall, features the colors of the Russian flag and the message written in Russian. Its appearance, just days before the anniversary of the February 24th invasion, has drawn sharp criticism from Seoul, which opposes Russia’s actions in Ukraine and its growing military cooperation with North Korea. The banner remained in place as of Monday, .
South Korea’s foreign ministry released a statement on , reiterating its position that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine constitutes an illegal act. The ministry confirmed it had conveyed its concerns to the Russian side regarding the banner and recent public remarks made by the Russian Ambassador to South Korea, Georgy Zinoviev. While the statement did not detail the specific response received from the embassy, it underscores the seriousness with which Seoul views the situation.
The timing of the banner’s unveiling coincides with increasing anxieties in Seoul regarding the deepening military ties between Russia and North Korea. South Korea views this collaboration as a direct threat to its security and a violation of both the UN Charter and UN Security Council resolutions. These concerns were further amplified by Ambassador Zinoviev’s recent comments praising the role of North Korean troops in fighting in Russia’s Kursk region.
According to media reports, Ambassador Zinoviev stated on that Russia acknowledges the contribution of North Korean soldiers in liberating parts of the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces and Western mercenaries. He added, “We will not forget the greatness of the North Korean troops.” This statement, coupled with the banner, has been interpreted by Seoul as a deliberate provocation.
Intelligence assessments, as reported by South Korean, Ukrainian and Western sources, suggest that North Korea has deployed approximately 14,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russian troops in Ukraine under a mutual defense pact established in 2024. These reports indicate that over 6,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed in action. While these figures have not been independently verified by Russia, they have heightened concerns in Seoul about the escalating military cooperation between the two nations.
The South Korean government has warned that both the banner display and the ambassador’s statements are “clearly excessive.” The foreign ministry emphasized that Russia, having violated the UN Charter, cannot be permitted to publicly express its stance on an illegal war from within its embassy walls. The ministry also expressed concern that the banner could provoke the South Korean public and negatively impact bilateral relations, particularly given the presence of a Ukrainian embassy in Seoul.
Despite the formal request, the Russian embassy has reportedly refused to remove the banner. Attempts to reach the embassy for comment by phone were unsuccessful on Monday, with an automated message indicating the embassy was closed for a public holiday. This refusal to comply with Seoul’s demands further complicates the diplomatic situation and raises questions about the future of Russia-South Korea relations.
The incident highlights the growing geopolitical tensions surrounding the Ukraine war and the increasing alignment between Russia and North Korea. South Korea’s strong condemnation of Russia’s actions and its concerns about the military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang underscore the complex security dynamics in Northeast Asia. The situation is being closely monitored by international observers, who are assessing the potential implications for regional stability and the broader international order.
The South Korean government’s firm stance on the issue reflects its commitment to upholding international law and its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. However, the embassy’s defiance and the lack of a clear resolution raise concerns about the potential for further escalation and the challenges of navigating diplomatic relations with Russia in the context of the ongoing conflict.
