Seoul has formally protested to Moscow over a large banner displayed on the exterior wall of the Russian embassy, an act South Korean officials view as provocative and insensitive given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The banner, prominently visible in the South Korean capital, reads “Victory will be ours” in Russian.
The South Korean Foreign Ministry issued a statement , expressing its position that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine constitutes an illegal act. The ministry conveyed its concerns to Russian officials, requesting the removal of the banner. As of , the banner remained in place, according to reports from AFP.
The display coincides with the approaching fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began on . The timing has amplified the sense of unease in Seoul, which has consistently opposed Moscow’s actions in Ukraine.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of growing concern regarding military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. South Korean officials have repeatedly condemned what they describe as a clear violation of UN Charter and UN Security Council resolutions. This concern was further heightened by recent remarks attributed to Russian Ambassador to South Korea, Georgy Zinoviev, praising the contribution of North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region of Russia. According to the Chosun Ilbo newspaper, Zinoviev stated that Russia was “well aware of how much North Korean troops contributed to liberating the southern part of the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces.”
Seoul estimates that approximately 2,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to fight in Ukraine, with around 2,000 reported fatalities. This alleged involvement has prompted strong calls from South Korea for an immediate cessation of military collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang.
The South Korean government’s protest extends beyond the banner itself, encompassing Zinoviev’s public statements. The ministry has indicated it will “closely monitor further developments” around the embassy’s activities, including a planned pro-war rally scheduled to coincide with the anniversary of the invasion.
While neither the Russian nor Ukrainian embassies in Seoul have immediately responded to requests for comment, the incident underscores the increasingly strained relationship between South Korea and Russia. The display of the banner is seen by some in Seoul as a deliberate act of defiance and a disregard for South Korea’s stated position on the conflict.
The situation is further complicated by the historical context of the Korean peninsula. North and South Korea remain technically at war, as the 1950-1953 Korean War ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. This ongoing state of conflict adds another layer of sensitivity to the issue, particularly given the alleged involvement of North Korean soldiers in the war in Ukraine.
Moscow has also issued a warning to Seoul regarding potential arms supplies to Ukraine. Russian officials have threatened “asymmetric retaliation” and damage to bilateral ties should South Korea join NATO’s PURL programme or provide weapons to Ukraine. This warning reflects Russia’s growing frustration with international support for Ukraine and its determination to counter what it perceives as hostile actions.
The incident with the banner is not occurring in isolation. China has also recently asserted its stance on trade, stating it is “not afraid of a trade war” and accusing the United States of a “double standard” regarding rare earths retaliation. While seemingly unrelated, these events collectively illustrate a growing trend of geopolitical tension and assertive posturing by several major global powers.
The South Korean Foreign Ministry has emphasized its commitment to upholding international law and condemning acts of aggression. The government’s response to the banner display signals its resolve to maintain a firm stance against Russia’s actions in Ukraine and to protect its own national security interests. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected in the coming days as the anniversary of the invasion approaches.
