Credentials Presentation Ceremony for New Ambassadors to Russia from 34 Countries, Including South Korea
On January 15 (local time), Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed hope for a restoration of relations with South Korea.
According to TASS and RIA Novosti, President Putin stated during a speech at the credentials presentation ceremony for new ambassadors to Russia, held at the Kremlin in Moscow, "In the past, our two countries maintained a practical approach and achieved truly good results in trade and business," adding, "I hope for a restoration of relations with South Korea."
Regarding the current state of bilateral relations, he assessed, "Unfortunately, much of the positive foundation in our interactions with South Korea has been wasted."
Since Russia launched its "special military operation" against Ukraine in February 2022, South Korea has joined Western sanctions against Russia. In response, Russia designated South Korea as an unfriendly nation, leading to a rapid cooling of bilateral relations. Furthermore, in June 2024, Russia signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty with North Korea, and as North Korea has provided military support to Russia, the outlook for South Korea-Russia relations has become even more complicated.
Lee Seokbae, the South Korean ambassador to Russia who took office in October of last year, also attended the credentials presentation ceremony that day. The presentation of credentials is a procedure in which the head of state of the sending country delivers the letter of credence for the newly appointed ambassador to the head of state of the host country.
While President Putin's expression of willingness to restore relations with South Korea, an unfriendly nation, is noteworthy amid Russia's confrontation with the West over the Ukraine issue, this is not the first time he has conveyed such a message.
At the credentials presentation ceremony in December 2023, attended by then-Ambassador Lee Dohun, President Putin stated, "Whether cooperation between Russia and South Korea returns to a partnership that benefits the peoples of both countries depends on South Korea. I want to emphasize that South Korea is prepared for this."
At that time, he mentioned that the two countries had developed mutually beneficial relations in the economic field and had also cooperated for a political and diplomatic resolution of the situation on the Korean Peninsula. This time, there was no mention related to the Korean Peninsula.
President Putin also stated in an interview with the heads of major global news agencies in June 2024 that he positively viewed the fact that South Korea was not supplying weapons to Ukraine and that Russia was ready to restore relations with South Korea.
At the event, which was attended by new foreign ambassadors from 34 countries, including both friendly and unfriendly nations, President Putin said that Russia was also prepared to restore relations to a certain extent with European countries where tensions had intensified.
He diagnosed that cooperation with several European countries had been frozen, stating, "As time passes, circumstances will change, and I want to believe that we will restore normal and constructive communication based on the principles of respecting national interests and legitimate security concerns." He added, "Russia has maintained and adhered to such an approach and is ready to restore relations to the necessary level."
President Putin mentioned the countries of the ambassadors present that day, including France, Italy, and Austria, saying, "Relations between Russia and various European countries can improve," and added, "As I have repeatedly said, we are open to mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries, without exception."
Regarding the Ukraine issue, he said, "We are pursuing long-term and sustainable peace that reliably guarantees the security of all, but Ukraine and the countries supporting it are not prepared for this." He emphasized, "Until they recognize this necessity, Russia will continue its efforts to achieve its objectives." He reiterated his previous position that the direct cause of the Ukraine crisis was the disregard for Russia's legitimate interests, threats to its security, and the advance of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) bloc close to Russia's borders.
President Putin did not specifically mention the situations in Venezuela or Iran, nor the United States or President Donald Trump, but said, "The situation on the international stage is increasingly deteriorating. No one would dispute that long-standing conflicts are intensifying, and new serious flashpoints are emerging," adding, "Russia is truly committed to the ideal of a multipolar world."
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