South Korea recalls ambassador to Ukraine in protest, first such move in 18 years

[Financial News] The government made a surprise decision on the 8th to recall South Korea’s ambassador to Ukraine because of diplomatic tensions. The move came after Ukraine said the previous day that South Korea was not joining sanctions against Russia. It is the first time in 18 years that the South Korean government has recalled an ambassador to a major country over a diplomatic issue or friction.
The last official recall in protest was in July 2008, when Ambassador to Japan Kwon Cheol-hyeon was recalled to protest the issue of explicitly stating sovereignty over Dokdo.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that day that it had decided to recall South Korea’s ambassador to Ukraine. The ministry added, “We hope that various issues between the two countries will be resolved smoothly, and will continue consultations with Ukraine to that end.”
The previous day, Ukraine accused South Korea of evading sanctions against Russia. The UK’s Guardian sparked controversy with a report that diesel refined in South Korea had been transported to Russia, which is under sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine.
The Blue House and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said they were checking whether diesel produced in South Korea had been transported to Russia. The South Korean government explained, however, that diesel is not subject to sanctions against Russia.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said, “We will verify the facts and matters related to export controls through the relevant agencies and take the necessary measures if a problem is confirmed.” The official added, “It is inappropriate to use a Guardian report as the basis for publicly suggesting that South Korea had acted contrary to its sanctions policy based on an individual transaction when key facts, such as the parties to the transaction, its origin and the final buyer, have not been confirmed.”
The main sanctions on petroleum products agreed upon by the United States and Western countries prohibit the import of Russian petroleum products into Western countries. Exports of commercial diesel from Western countries to Russia, on the other hand, are reportedly not subject to sanctions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would take measures if necessary in response to reports that vessels subject to sanctions against Russia had been used to transport diesel. A ministry official explained, “I understand that the necessary measures will be taken if a problem is confirmed after the relevant agencies verify the facts and related matters.”

[email protected] Kim Gyeong-su Reporter