The presidential office of South Korea denied allegations from Ukraine on Wednesday that Russia imported petroleum products from South Korean ports, according to reports from Reuters.
Vladislav Vlasiuk, Ukraine’s chief sanctions official and advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky, stated on Tuesday that these alleged shipments have mitigated the impact of a fuel crisis caused by Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries.
“In other words, imports from South Korea have effectively helped Russia alleviate the consequences of losing its refining capabilities,” the Ukrainian presidential advisor claimed.
This statement followed an article from the British publication The Guardian, which indicated that port records and ship tracking data revealed that fuel had been loaded onto seven tankers at South Korean ports, including vessels under British and EU sanctions.
Seoul Claims Consistent Implementation of Sanctions
According to the presidential office, since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, South Korea has “consistently applied sanctions and export controls against Russia, in close coordination with the international community.”
Seoul noted that it is reviewing the situation and investigating whether there have been any issues related to export controls, stating that it will take necessary actions if any problems are confirmed.
Tensions have surfaced in relations between South Korea and Ukraine last month when President Zelensky announced the transfer of two North Korean war prisoners to South Korea. Seoul stated that the transfer should have remained confidential.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sibiga mentioned last week that Ukraine is making diplomatic efforts to move past the “misunderstanding” with Seoul.
Georgy Tihiy, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, told journalists on Wednesday that the dispute regarding the prisoners stems from a “difference in interpretation of confidentiality agreements.”
“Active work is being conducted through closed diplomatic channels to resolve this situation and turn the page,” he concluded.
