South Korea’s Russia Outreach Alarms European Allies

South Korea’s push for closer diplomatic and commercial ties with Russia is unsettling European allies, as President Lee Jae-myung deepens engagement with Moscow even as relations with Ukraine deteriorate.

European diplomats question whether Seoul remains a dependable partner, citing Arctic shipping, reported fuel deliveries, and political contacts despite Russia’s growing military cooperation with North Korea.

“The attitude is that the (Ukraine) war won’t last forever, and they want to get right back into business with Russia as soon as it’s over,” one European diplomat in Seoul told the Financial Times.

Political Outreach

Mason Richey, a professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, said relations between Seoul and Moscow had been recovering discreetly since last autumn.

South Korea’s intelligence-affiliated Institute for National Security Strategy held private talks with the Kremlin-backed Russian International Affairs Council in November 2025.

Its president, Kim Seong-bae, visited Moscow in June for further talks.

Lee appointed Song Young-gil as special adviser for peace diplomacy this month.

A former presidential envoy to Russia, Song has advocated closer ties and received Russia’s Order of Friendship in 2013.

Richey said Song appeared to be gaining influence over Russia policy as other senior officials lost ground.

Commercial Scrutiny

The PanStar Acro returned this month from South Korea’s first voyage through the Northern Sea Route.

The Arctic passage cuts about 10 days off European journeys compared with the Suez Canal route, but requires extensive cooperation from Russia.

Reports this month also said more than 176,000 metric tons of fuel, mainly diesel, traveled from South Korea to Russia in July and August, including aboard tankers under U.K. and EU sanctions.

A South Korean security official denied exports of diesel, gasoline and jet fuel to Russia, saying authorities were investigating potentially false destination declarations.

European frustration predates Lee’s presidency.

Two Korean executives convicted in February 2025 of illegally exporting machinery capable of producing munitions to Russia received suspended one-year sentences.

Their company was fined $30,000 over shipments worth $5.5 million.

Seoul Pushes Back

“Concerns in some quarters that South Korea is leaning too heavily towards Russia are inconsistent with the facts,” South Korea’s foreign ministry told the FT.

Kim Saeme, of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, described Seoul’s approach as increasingly pragmatic and interest-driven.

However, she warned that Russian assistance to North Korea’s military increased the threat to South Korea itself.

Meanwhile, Lee accused Kyiv of breaching a secrecy agreement after disclosure that two North Korean prisoners had been transferred to South Korea.

Seoul recalled its ambassador this month and announced further withdrawals of embassy staff. Ukraine disputed the account.

Europe’s Limited Leverage

European pressure is complicated by demand for Korean weapons. Poland has ordered more than $18 billion in South Korean military equipment since 2022.

Some European countries also continue buying Russian energy. France’s Russian LNG imports doubled month on month to €446 million in September, according to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

With European governments seeking to replenish weapons stocks depleted by support for Ukraine, South Korea is “not easily replaced,” Richey said.