The South Korean government has refuted claims from Ukraine that South Korea supplied oil products, including diesel, to Russia.
According to a statement from Kang Yu-jung, the chief spokesperson for the Blue House, during a written briefing on October 7, "Our government has consistently implemented export controls and sanctions against Russia in close cooperation with the international community since Russia's invasion of Ukraine."
She added, "We ask that public comments that could distort South Korea's relevant policies or undermine international trust be refrained from without sufficient fact-checking."
Kang also pointed out that remarks made by a Ukrainian presidential office official, citing foreign media reports suggesting that South Korea helped mitigate Russia's raw material shortages and loss of refining capacity, were "inaccurate and inappropriate."
The government is currently verifying the circumstances of the transactions and export control matters through relevant agencies, stating that it will take necessary actions if any issues arise.
Regarding the report from The Guardian, which Ukraine referenced as evidence, a National Security Office official stated, "Currently, the 1,402 items subject to South Korea's export controls against Russia do not include refined oil products such as diesel and aviation fuel."
Additionally, the official noted, "It has not been confirmed that South Korean fuel, including diesel, has been exported to Russia," explaining that there are no records of diesel, gasoline, or jet fuel being exported from South Korea to Russia from August of last year to August of this year.
He further clarified that this means there have been no exports of these items to Russia, regardless of their origin, and that authorities will investigate whether there were any false declarations regarding the destination.
On October 6, The Guardian reported that seven tankers had transported over 176,000 tons of oil products from South Korea to Russia's Far East, including Vladivostok, during July and August of this year. However, it also stated that these transactions did not violate South Korean laws.
In response, Vladyslav Blasiuk, an advisor on sanctions in the Ukrainian presidential office, cited the report, claiming that it starkly contrasts with South Korea's sanctions policy against Russia and that imports from South Korea have helped mitigate the impact of Russia's loss of refining capacity.
A National Security Office official stated, "South Korea's exports to Russia have decreased from $10 billion in 2021 to $4 billion in 2025," reaffirming the country's commitment to participating in international efforts for the cessation of war and peaceful recovery.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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