South Korea reported that on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s embassy in Seoul removed a controversial banner from its outer wall. It also canceled a public event dedicated to Russian soldiers, according to Yonhap.
This came while Russia is recruiting citizens of North Korea to fight against Ukraine, raising direct security concerns for South Korea itself. The fighters gain experience in modern warfare and return home as instructors, passing on their combat skills to others.
Protests near the embassy: “Stop Putin. Stop the war” in central Seoul
Despite the cancellation of the outdoor event, solo pickets and anti-war protest actions took place near the embassy. The head of the civic group Hwalbindan, Hong Jong-sik, appeared with a placard reading “Stop Putin. Stop the war,” also chanting slogans such as “Take down the ugly banner” and “The Republic of Korea opposes war.”
The planned outdoor event for Defender of the Fatherland Day on 23 February near the embassy building in central Seoul was moved at the last moment to a closed, non-public format.
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