Lavrov condemned US and allies’ military actions on North Korea as provocative, calling sanctions unhelpful and urging respectful dialogue for Northeast Asian peace
Seoul
South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to discuss security issues on the Korean Peninsula. This was the first formal talk between the two diplomats since the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022.
Cho updated Lavrov on South Korea’s approach to easing tensions with North Korea. He emphasized efforts to build trust and promote peace and stability in the region. However, Cho also expressed “serious concerns” about Russia’s ongoing military cooperation with North Korea, urging Russia to stop this support.
While South Korea’s foreign ministry did not provide many details, Russian news agency Ria Novosti reported that Lavrov criticized the military activities of the US and its Asian allies against North Korea. Lavrov called these actions “provocative” and said sanctions and pressure on North Korea were unhelpful. Instead, he suggested that respectful dialogue is the only way to build peace in Northeast Asia.
Cho also asked Russia to protect South Korean residents in the country and stressed the importance of a good environment for South Korean companies operating there.
Both ministers agreed to keep communication open in the future, according to Yonhap news agency.
Last year, South Korea had already warned about growing military ties between Russia and North Korea, which could increase threats on the Korean Peninsula and beyond. This meeting reflects ongoing concerns as tensions remain high in the region.