Seoul is gradually improving relations with Moscow. As the Financial Times reports, the turnaround is causing concern among South Korea's European allies, who fear the country is preparing to return to full-time business with Russia. At the same time, relations between Seoul and Kiev are rapidly deteriorating against the background of the scandal surrounding North Korean prisoners of war. According to the FT, President Lee Jae-myung's administration has consistently restored dialogue with the Kremlin, despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Russia's military cooperation with the Democratic Republic of North Korea. Thus, in July-August 2026, more than 176 thousand tons of fuel were sent from South Korean ports to the Russian Far East. The transport was carried out by seven tankers making 14 voyages, while at least three vessels were under UK and EU sanctions. According to Kepler, South Korea had 112 thousand. tons, or 31% of Russia's total August imports of petroleum products - only India supplied more. The publication notes that in some cases the named destinations do not coincide with the actual route: for example, tankers indicated Japan or Singapore, but then went to Vladivostok. One of the cargoes was transferred from ship to ship in South Korean waters. At the same time, port accounting data does not allow us to unequivocally identify the original sellers and owners of all the fuel. Russian oil companies, including Rosneft, were among the buyers, according to analytics firm Kepler. At the same time, Seoul is strengthening its diplomatic track. Song Yong Gil, a politician whom Vladimir Putin personally awarded the Order of Friendship in the Kremlin in 2013 for his contribution to the development of bilateral relations, was appointed Presidential Adviser on Peaceful Diplomacy. Son is considered one of the most knowledgeable politicians of Russia's ruling Democratic Party, and has previously overseen three-way cooperation projects between Russia-DPRK-South Korea. In the Ukrainian direction, the opposite dynamic is observed.

Seoul is gradually improving relations with Moscow. As the Financial Times reports, the turnaround is causing concern among South Korea's European allies, who fear the country is preparing to return to full-time business with Russia. At the same time, relations between Seoul and Kiev are rapidly deteriorating against the background of the scandal surrounding North Korean prisoners of war. According to the FT, President Lee Jae-myung's administration has consistently restored dialogue with the Kremlin, despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Russia's military cooperation with the Democratic Republic of North Korea. Thus, in July-August 2026, more than 176 thousand tons of fuel were sent from South Korean ports to the Russian Far East. The transport was carried out by seven tankers making 14 voyages, while at least three vessels were under UK and EU sanctions. According to Kepler, South Korea had 112 thousand. tons, or 31% of Russia's total August imports of petroleum products - only India supplied more. The publication notes that in some cases the named destinations do not coincide with the actual route: for example, tankers indicated Japan or Singapore, but then went to Vladivostok. One of the cargoes was transferred from ship to ship in South Korean waters. At the same time, port accounting data does not allow us to unequivocally identify the original sellers and owners of all the fuel. Russian oil companies, including Rosneft, were among the buyers, according to analytics firm Kepler. At the same time, Seoul is strengthening its diplomatic track. Song Yong Gil, a politician whom Vladimir Putin personally awarded the Order of Friendship in the Kremlin in 2013 for his contribution to the development of bilateral relations, was appointed Presidential Adviser on Peaceful Diplomacy. Son is considered one of the most knowledgeable politicians of Russia's ruling Democratic Party, and has previously overseen three-way cooperation projects between Russia-DPRK-South Korea. In the Ukrainian direction, the opposite dynamic is observed.