South Korean, Russian diplomats spar in Tehran over military ties with North

Tensions flared between South Korean and Russian officials as Seoul castigated the treaty signed between Moscow and Pyongyang as a violation of UN resolutions, while Russia urged South Korea to “calmly” accept the pact.

South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Byung-won delivers remarks during a foreign ministers' meeting of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) in Tehran on Monday. [MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS]

Tensions flared between South Korean and Russian officials in Iran as Seoul castigated the new comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed between Moscow and Pyongyang as a violation of UN resolutions, while Russia urged South Korea to “calmly” accept the pact.

At the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) foreign ministers’ meeting in Tehran on Monday, South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Chung Byung-won said that “any direct or indirect action that enhances North Korea’s military capabilities, such as the new treaty, is a violation of relevant Security Council resolutions.

“The international community, including ACD member countries, must take firm action against all such acts that are detrimental to international security and peace,” said Chung. He also explained the heightened tensions and situation on the Korean Peninsula resulting from North Korea’s recent and continuous provocations, according to the Foreign Ministry.

According to reports, Andrey Rudenko, Russia’s deputy foreign minister who attended the same meeting, did not immediately react to Chung’s remarks. However, Rudenko said through Russian media outlet Sputnik that he hopes South Korea will “calmly” accept the treaty between Moscow and Pyongyang.

"We hope that Seoul will accept the new agreement with an understanding, and a sound approach will prevail there, including in relations with Russia," Rudenko was quoted as saying by Sputnik.

He added that the treaty was a "warning for those countries planning to solve regional problems using military means."

The latest comments from senior South Korean and Russian officials continue the mutual warnings against crossing "red lines."

When the South Korean presidential office announced on June 19 that Seoul would consider providing lethal aid to Ukraine after the signing of the North-Russia treaty, Russian President Vladimir Putin responded last Thursday by saying providing arms to Kyiv would be a “very big mistake.”

National Security Adviser Chang Ho-jin, in turn, responded on Sunday that there would be “no line remaining” for South Korea if Russia provided advanced weapons to North Korea.

Deputy Minister Chung's criticism of Russia at an international meeting with a Russian senior official present and Rudenko's urging South Korea to accept the new treaty seem to represent the next phase in the confrontation between Seoul and Moscow.

Meanwhile, Rudenko floated the possibility of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visiting Russia in the same Sputnik interview on Tuesday. The Russian official said that such a trip would take place when “all the necessary conditions are right.”

The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea's ruling party, carried a thank-you message from Putin on Tuesday. In it, the Russian president called Kim an “honored guest always welcomed on Russian soil.”

BY PARK HYUN-JOO, LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]