Russian Ambassador to South Korea Alexander Timonin on Tuesday renewed his opposition to the U.S.’ possible deployment of an advanced missile defense system to the peninsula, arguing it would not be helpful for the region’s peace and stability.
 

During a meeting with reporters at his embassy in Seoul, Timonin also said that Russia was against imposing any bilateral sanctions against North Korea for its latest nuclear test, as they would not help resolve the decades-old nuclear issue involving the reclusive regime.

“The U.S.’ deployment of THAAD will not help secure peace and stability in Northeast Asia, and neither would it be helpful in addressing the issue of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula,” the ambassador said, referring to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, a core element of the U.S.’ global missile defense program.

“We are calling on all concerned parties to refrain from taking any action to worsen the regional situation in the military area.”

Speculation has been rising that Seoul and Washington would soon begin their official talks over the deployment of THAAD, which Beijing and Moscow apparently believe could target them in case of a contingency with the U.S.

Timonin also stressed the importance of ascertaining if Pyongyang really carried out a hydrogen bomb test as it claimed -- before the U.N. Security Council adopts a fresh sanctions resolution. His remarks indicated that the process of adopting new international sanctions would take time, given that it is difficult to verify the authenticity of Pyongyang’s claim over the nuclear test.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)