Lee Jong-eun

This month, a South Korean missionary was arrested in Russia on charges of espionage. According to Russia’s official news agency, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained a South Korean citizen on suspicion of passing state secrets to a foreign intelligence service. Other sources have speculated the missionary’s involvement in assisting North Korean defectors in Russia motivated the arrest. Since then, South Korea’s embassy has been in confidential negotiations with Russia to release its citizen.

The recent event is a continuation of the challenges South Korea has faced over the past two years in implementing its tightrope diplomacy with Russia. Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine War, Russia has drawn closer toward partnership with North Korea, while South Korea has expanded its partnership with the United States and Japan. Similar to the West and Japan, the South Korean government has voted for the U.N. resolutions condemning Russia’s invasion and has participated in international sanctions against Russia. Last year, South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol made a surprise visit to Ukraine after attending the NATO Summit and pledged expansion of humanitarian and economic aid.

At the same time, South Korea has shown caution in mitigating direct conflicts with Russia. The Yoon government has refrained from directly sending military aid to Ukraine, though it has exported arms and munitions to the U.S. and European countries. It has also negotiated with the U.S. for exemption in continuing financial transactions with the Russian Ministry of Finance, allowing the latter to........

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