US: Russia Donated 400 Billion Won Over 8 Years to Political Circles in 20 Countries... Election Interference

Direct Funding to Presidential Candidates in Some Countries
US State Department: "Election Interference Is an Attack on Sovereignty"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. intelligence agencies revealed that Russia has provided over 400 billion won in political donations to more than 20 countries' political circles over the past eight years since 2014 and has interfered in elections. As Russia's international standing narrows due to its invasion of Ukraine, there are concerns that illegal election interference cases aimed at helping establish pro-Russian regimes in various countries will increase.

According to foreign media including The New York Times (NYT) on the 13th (local time), the U.S. State Department disclosed declassified information stating that Russia has provided at least $300 million (approximately 417 billion won) in political donations to political parties and influential politicians in more than 20 countries over the past eight years since 2014. The U.S. State Department emphasized, "This is a minimum estimate, and there may have been additional support through undetected means."

According to the information, Russia has supported political funds through various methods such as cash and cryptocurrency, and in some Asian countries, millions of dollars were reportedly delivered directly to presidential candidates through Russian ambassadors stationed there.

Additionally, indirect funding through state-owned enterprises and private companies is also presumed to have taken place. However, U.S. authorities did not disclose specific details about which countries and politicians received political donations from Russia. Information regarding Russian funds received by the U.S. political circles was also omitted from this disclosure.

Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, strongly condemned the findings during a press briefing, stating, "These investigation results are based on inquiries by U.S. intelligence agencies," and added, "Russia's election interference across multiple countries is an attack on sovereignty comparable to the invasion of Ukraine."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.