S.Korea’s NSA meets Russian Deputy FM during Seoul visit: Sources

Seoul, Feb 6 : South Koreas National Security Adviser Chang Ho-jin met with Russia Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko when he visited Seoul last week, sources said on Tuesday, amid heightened tensions between Seoul and Moscow over North Korea.

The meeting took place on Saturday, the sources said, as tensions have flared anew since Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova denounced South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeols remarks on North Korea as "blatantly biased" on Thursday, Yonhap news agency reported.

In response, Seouls Foreign Ministry called in Russian Ambassador Georgy Zinoviev and lodged a protest.

Observers say Chang and Rudenkos meeting likely reflects Seoul and Moscows commitment to maintaining stable bilateral ties.

Chang was Rudenkos counterpart while he served as the ambassador to Russia from August 2022 to April last year.

During their talks, Chang took issue with Russias criticism of Yoons remarks, an official at South Koreas Foreign Ministry said, declining to comment on Rudenkos response.

The Ministry earlier said Rudenko met with Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Byung-won and Kim Gunn, South Koreas top nuclear envoy, on Friday to address the Ukrainian war and bilateral ties.

Rudenkos visit was initially expected to take place last September but was postponed at the last minute.

int/khz