South Korea, accused by Ukraine of supplying fuel to Russia, promises legal action if the shipments are confirmed

South Korea announced on Thursday that it would take legal action if allegations concerning illegal fuel shipments to Russia are confirmed. The statement came after Vladyslav Vlasiuk, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, claimed that 176,000 tonnes of South Korean fuel had reached Russia in July and August.

According to the Ukrainian official, the shipments were allegedly carried out using sanctioned oil tankers and would violate the measures adopted by Seoul against Moscow. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said, however, that it had not confirmed whether petroleum products from South Korea, including diesel fuel, had been exported to Russia.

The ministry explained that diesel fuel and aviation fuel intended for commercial use are not on the list of products subject to export controls to Russia. Seoul’s presidential administration had previously rejected the allegations and urged Ukraine not to misrepresent South Korea’s sanctions policy without verifying the facts.

Relations between the two countries are already strained following a dispute over the transfer of North Korean prisoners to South Korea.

Meanwhile, Russia and North Korea have strengthened their cooperation through a mutual defense treaty signed in 2024.