Putin Associate: "If South Korea Maintains Sanctions Against Russia, Relations Will Worsen Further"

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, and Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, held a meeting on the 19th at the Kumsusan Guesthouse, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 20th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

A close aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that if South Korea continues to uphold sanctions against Russia, the bilateral relationship will further deteriorate.

Sputnik News reported on the 24th (local time) that Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council, issued a warning regarding South Korea's participation in sanctions against Russia.

Medvedev served as Russia's president from 2008 to 2012 and is a close associate of President Putin.

On the same day, he stated on Telegram, "South Korea is making a fuss over the new 'Russia-North Korea treaty,'" adding, "If South Korea recklessly maintains sanctions against Russia, the relationship between the two countries will worsen."

He also said that regarding the "Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" between North Korea and Russia, "We will strictly implement it, including the mutual security guarantee provisions."

Earlier, President Putin visited North Korea and signed a treaty with North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, focusing on cooperation equivalent to a military alliance between the two countries.