South Korea's Foreign Ministry is demanding that the Russian Embassy in Seoul remove a 15-meter banner with the inscription “Victory will be ours” posted on the wall of the building on the eve of the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
This was reported by the South Korean agency Yonhap.
On February 22, the South Korean Foreign Ministry asked the Russian Embassy to remove a banner in the colors of the Russian flag and placed on the outer wall of a building in central Seoul.
“We have informed the Russian side of our position regarding the recent placement of a banner on the external walls of the Russian embassy in Seoul and the public statements of the Russian ambassador to South Korea,” the ministry said in a statement.
The Foreign Ministry noted that the banner could create “unnecessary tension in relations with other countries,” as it is perceived as a hint of Russia's war against Ukraine, and recalled that the Russian invasion of Ukraine is illegal. The government of the Republic of Korea also demands that Russia stop cooperating with North Korea.
The Russian embassy refused to remove the banner. They said it was put up because of the holidays — Diplomatic Worker's Day and Defender of the Fatherland Day — and called the slogan “a catchphrase known to all Russians.” It will supposedly be dismantled after the holidays are over.