South Korea has announced it will pursue legal action if investigations reveal that fuel shipments from its ports to Russia breached domestic laws. The statement follows findings that significant amounts of refined petroleum products, particularly diesel, were sent to Russia during July and August.
An analysis of port records and ship-tracking data indicated that over 176,000 tonnes of fuel were loaded at various South Korean ports onto seven tankers, which proceeded on 14 voyages to Russia’s Far East. Notably, three of these vessels are under sanctions imposed by the UK and the EU.
The South Korean government is currently examining additional information regarding these shipments. Officials clarified that the petroleum products involved were not restricted by the country’s export controls on Russia, which mainly target industrial machinery, electronics, and vehicles. Moreover, customs records did not show any direct exports of diesel, aviation fuel, or motor petrol to Russia.
Authorities are scrutinizing the routes taken by the tankers, the destinations they declared, and any changes to these plans to ascertain if there were false declarations or other legal violations. The three sanctioned vessels reportedly listed Japan or Singapore as their destinations before ultimately heading to Vladivostok, a Russian port city.
These shipments have sparked concerns in Ukraine, with officials suggesting that this fuel trade could potentially undermine international sanctions against Russia. South Korea has dismissed Ukrainian criticisms, labeling recent remarks about the shipments as inaccurate and inappropriate.
Ukraine has reportedly raised the issue through diplomatic channels and sought clarification from Seoul. In response to the growing tensions, South Korea has decided to recall its ambassador to Ukraine. The government expressed hope that the outstanding issues could be resolved amicably through continued consultations.
