The Position of Japan and South Korea Regarding the Russian-Ukrainian War

Abstract

The article reveals the position and actions of Japan and South Korea regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war after February 24, 2022. Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 prompted mostly symbolic sanctions from Japan and did not distract Tokyo from its aspiration to improve relations with Moscow. However, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has caused tension in relations between Tokyo and Moscow. Japan is the center of support for Ukraine in the Asia-Pacific region, which is extremely important for our country, since this state belongs to the G7 and is one of the leading economies in the world. In contrast, South Korea’s reaction was mixed. When the war broke out, Seoul’s response was vague and mixed, prompting a wave of international criticism that the government did not seem to understand or know how to respond to. The first response of the administration of South Korean President Moon Jae-in was fear for South Korean exports to Russia. For several days, it was unclear whether Seoul would support the sanctions regime. South Korea took action only when the US began threatening trade exclusions on goods needed by exporters. Today, in the Asian context, South Korea and Japan are among the few countries that have provided the most comprehensive support to Ukraine and its partners after February 24, 2022. The Republic of Korea and Japan condemned Russia, imposed sanctions against Moscow, and provided Kyiv with aid and non-lethal military equipment. In addition, South Korea also transferred weapons to Ukraine to repel a Russian invasion, even if these transfers were made through third parties. South Korea and Japan’s pro-Ukrainian position and consequent anti-Russian stance is a result of their strong alliance with the United States and growing security ties with other Western countries, their need to prevent North Korea and China from contemplating similar actions, and their desire to inform that similar events in the region would be undesirable.