Hollywood Actor Steven Seagal Joins Pro-Russian Opposition Party

Received Citizenship in 2016
Enjoys Martial Arts and Has Friendship with Putin

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] American Hollywood action actor Steven Seagal has joined a political party that maintains a close relationship with the Russian Vladimir Putin regime.

On the 30th (local time), Russia's opposition party "A Just Russia ? For Truth" announced that Seagal officially joined the party that day. This party was founded earlier this year by the merger of three left-leaning parties within Russia and is currently known as an opposition party actively cooperating with the Putin regime. Seagal received his party membership card from party leader Sergey Mironov at a party event the day before.

Previously, Seagal, born in the United States, acquired Russian citizenship in 2016. Having trained in judo and kendo, he has built a friendship with President Putin, who enjoys martial arts. In 2018, President Putin appointed Seagal as the head of the Russian-American cultural delegation. Also, this month, he visited Venezuela as a Russian special envoy and presented a samurai sword to President Nicol?s Maduro.

In 2017, Seagal expressed support for Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, which led the Ukrainian government to impose a ban on his entry in response.

Seagal has consistently emphasized that the government should take a tough stance against companies that destroy the environment. At the party event, he said, "(Companies) continue environmental destruction to make money," adding, "If those responsible are not arrested or only fined, such acts will not end."

Earlier, Seagal appeared in action films such as "Under Siege," "Hard to Kill," and "Final Decision" during the 1980s and 1990s.

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