Government Summons Russian Ambassador to Korea... Protests Against 'Yoon-Biased' Remarks by Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson

by Yoo Byeongdon

Published 03 Feb.2024 20:08(KST)

The government summoned Georgy Zinoviev, the Russian Ambassador to South Korea, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in connection with the statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson who called President Yoon Seok-yeol's remarks criticizing North Korea's 'legalization of preemptive nuclear use' "biased."

Government Summons Russian Ambassador to Korea... Protests Against 'Yoon-Biased' Remarks by Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson

On the afternoon of the 3rd, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeong Byeong-won summoned Ambassador Zinoviev to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu and lodged a stern protest regarding the recent remarks by the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson about President Yoon's comments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

Deputy Minister Jeong told the Russian side, "It is very regrettable that you unconditionally defend North Korea while ignoring the truth and harshly criticize the remarks of a head of state with extremely rude language." He also emphasized that this would only further deteriorate Korea-Russia relations.

Ambassador Zinoviev reportedly said that he listened carefully to the South Korean government's position and would immediately report it to his home government, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Earlier that day, the spokesperson office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly criticized Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, for her comment on the 1st (local time) that belittled President Yoon's remarks, saying it was "below standard, rude, ignorant, and biased for a spokesperson of a country's foreign ministry."

Spokesperson Zakharova had called President Yoon's remarks at the 57th Central Integrated Defense Meeting held at the Blue House State Guest House on the 31st of last month biased, claiming, "Such remarks were made with the purpose of obscuring an aggressive plan aimed at the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)."