South Korea also excludes Russia from the SWIFT mechanism and will ban the export of some “materials”

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MADRID, Feb. 28 (Royals Blue) –

South Korea announced on Monday its decision to exclude Russia from the SWIFT mechanism, as several countries have already done, and will prohibit the export of “strategic materials” to the Eurasian country, in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry has reported that it has already notified the United States of its decision to join the measures to hold Moscow responsible for the escalation of the war, but has specified some considerations, including relations with Moscow, which Seoul sees as a partner important to maintain peace on the Korean peninsula, according to the Yonhap news agency.

Seoul is expected to ban exports to Russia of materials targeted by four multilateral export control regimes — the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the Wassenaar Arrangement, the Australia Group, and the Missile Technology Control Regime. –, aimed at preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery and the relevant technologies and equipment.

In addition to participating in the sanctions program, Seoul plans to strengthen humanitarian support to Ukraine, including the provision of military suits and other contributions.

Meanwhile, the Russian ambassador to South Korea, Andrey Kulik, regretted the decision “deeply” and warned of a “change of course” in relations between the two countries.

“Relations between Russia and South Korea have developed only positively in the last 30 years. I think the upward trajectory will now change course,” he told a news conference. In addition, she has warned that sanctions “will not help” trilateral cooperation projects involving North Korea.