UPDATE - S.Korea’s Yoon vows to seek ‘smooth ties’ with Russia despite concerns over North

UPDATES WITH MORE COMMENTS BY YOON, BACKGROUND, CHANGES HEADER, INTRO

By Anadolu staff

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Thursday that his country would seek to maintain "as smooth as possible" relations with Russia despite its growing relations with North Korea.

“Russia is a country with which we have had a good relationship for a long time,” Yoon replied to a question by BBC reporter, who had asked for Seoul’s redlines in response to Moscow’s cooperation with Pyongyang.

However, avoiding a direct answer, Yoon said Seoul and Moscow had “some differences and uncomfortable relations” with regard to Ukraine war and “introduction of weapons by North.”

“We will continue to manage our relations with Russia on a case-by-case basis, in a way that we can cooperate on issues where we agree and may oppose or be wary on issues depending on difference in position,” Yoon told reporters at a news conference in Seoul.

“But we will manage our relationship with Russia as smoothly as possible and we can pursue economic cooperation and common interests together,” said the South Korean president in comments on relations with Russia.

Moscow and Pyongyang have strengthened ties in recent months with Kim Jong-un paying a state visit to Russia last year.

While Moscow is said to have helped Pyongyang in its space missions, the US and its allies accused Pyongyang of supplying ammunition to Russia which it used against Ukraine.

On Kyiv, Yoon said South Korea was "doing its best" to provide humanitarian and reconstruction aid to the war-torn country “but will adhere to its policy of not providing offensive, lethal weapons to any nation, including Ukraine,” Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

“North Korea’s export of offensive weapons not only supports the illegal waging of war in relation to Ukraine but also clearly violates UN Security Council sanctions resolutions related to North Korea’s nuclear weapons,” Yoon added.