MOSCOW – Russia is closely monitoring the unfolding crisis in South Korea, where President Yoon Suk Yeol briefly declared martial law before reversing the decision, sparking political unrest in the key U.S. ally, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.
Zakharova described the situation as “tragic” and noted that while Moscow remains concerned, there are no immediate threats to Russian citizens in South Korea. The turmoil in South Korea has drawn international attention after lawmakers submitted a bill to impeach President Yoon following his martial law declaration, which exacerbated the political crisis in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.
“The situation on the Korean peninsula is already complicated by the provocative actions of the United States and its allies,” Zakharova said, criticizing Washington’s role in the region.
Meanwhile, Russia has strengthened ties with North Korea amid its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, raising concerns among Western nations. In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a treaty in Pyongyang that includes a mutual defense clause.
Amid these developments, the United States, South Korea, and Ukraine have accused North Korea of deploying over 10,000 troops to support Russian forces in Ukraine’s Kursk region. Moscow has yet to confirm or deny these allegations.