Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to North Korea has stirred significant reactions worldwide.
Particularly in South Korea, the trip prompted a series of provocative actions aimed at Moscow, as reported by Chinese media outlet Sohu.
Putin's Pyongyang Visit Sparks Concerns
Putin's visit to Pyongyang included signing a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
This agreement aims to enhance cooperation and mutual support between the two nations, especially in case of aggression against either country.
The news from North Korea sparked a nervous reaction in South Korea, as noted by Chinese journalists.
Despite Putin's assurance that the agreement would not threaten South Korea's security, Seoul seemed unsettled and embarked on a series of provocative actions.
South Korea announced a substantial $920 million arms deal with Romania and hinted at the possibility of supplying weapons to Ukraine. These moves were seen by China as direct provocations intended to pressure Russia into severing ties with North Korea.
Putin's Surprising Counter
South Korea likely anticipated that these actions would compel the Kremlin to rethink its relationship with Pyongyang. However, Putin's response was swift and contrary to Seoul's expectations.
The Russian president made it clear that any South Korean decision to supply arms to Russia's neighbors would be a grave mistake.
"Putin indicated that if South Korea decides to supply weapons to Russia's neighbors, it would be a significant error," reported the Chinese journalists.
Putin warned that if South Korea ignored his caution and proceeded with its plans, Russia's retaliatory measures would be harsh and unwelcome.
Analysts at Sohu believe that this firm response was unexpected for South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who likely underestimated the Kremlin's resolve. This puts Seoul in a challenging position: either back down and de-escalate or face serious repercussions from Russia.
"Putin's firm response to Yoon Suk-yeol's provocation shows that South Korea clearly underestimated Russia's position," concluded the Chinese journalists.
