Blue House: “Address damage to trust between Korea and Ukraine separately ... Russia sanctions policy unchanged”

[Financial News] At a press briefing held at the Chunchugwan Press Center on the 30th, Wi Sung-lac, chief of the Blue House Office of National Security, said, “I would like to say that, in the current situation between South Korea and Ukraine, our position is to maintain our principled stance at the bilateral level while taking a separate approach from the international community’s support for Ukraine.”
 Regarding a series of developments in bilateral relations over Ukraine’s recent breach of a confidential agreement on the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war, Wi said, “Our position is that clarifying the relevant facts is necessary to restore trust between the two countries and develop relations, and we are continuing consultations on that basis.”
He stressed, “I would like to point out that the recall of the ambassador and the withdrawal of some diplomatic mission personnel were also decisions made in this process, taking into account all circumstances, including the safety situation on the ground.”
Wi said, “I understand that some have raised questions about whether there has been a major change in our overall policy toward Ukraine. Separate from this matter, our position is that we will continue to participate in international efforts to support Ukraine as a responsible member of the international community.” He added, “There has been no change in our policy of consistently implementing sanctions against Russia and export controls in close coordination with the international community since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This is the position we uphold as a globally responsible power, despite the economic burden it places on our people and businesses.”
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