US Secretary of State: "Korea Joins Sanctions Against Russia... Committed to Upholding International Order"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] On the 2nd (local time), U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken stated regarding the South Korean government's participation in sanctions against Russia, "The United States and South Korea stand shoulder to shoulder in supporting Ukraine by responding to Russia's deliberate and unjustified aggression."

In a separate statement titled "South Korea's Actions Supporting Ukraine," Secretary Blinken said, "The South Korean government's economic sanctions against Russia will contribute to protecting Ukraine's territory, sovereignty, and freedom," and added, "This demonstrates South Korea's commitment to upholding a rules-based international order."

He mentioned, "South Korea supported international efforts to isolate Russia from global finance and technology trade by removing selected Russian banks from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) payment network and imposing sanctions such as suspending transactions with major Russian banks."

He also emphasized, "South Korea's commitment to releasing strategic petroleum reserves will help stabilize the global energy market." He further welcomed South Korea's pledge to provide an additional $10 million in emergency humanitarian aid to assist the people of Ukraine.

Secretary Blinken stressed, "Our joint actions demonstrate unity and reaffirm the determination of the United States, South Korea, our allies, and partners in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine."

On the same day, the South Korean government announced its decision to join the sanctions against Russia previously announced by the United States and the European Union (EU), including the exclusion of Russian banks from SWIFT. It also declared that it would take independent measures such as blocking exports of strategic materials. U.S. President Joe Biden mentioned countries participating in sanctions against Russia, including South Korea, during his first State of the Union address the previous day.

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