Russia is closely monitoring the situation in South Korea with apprehension following the president’s brief declaration of martial law, although Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated on Wednesday that there are no threats to Russian citizens in the country.

Since the onset of its conflict in Ukraine, Moscow has strengthened its relationship with North Korea, raising alarms among Western nations. On Wednesday, South Korean lawmakers introduced a bill to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol after he declared martial law, only to retract it hours later, leading to a political crisis in the region, which is a key ally of the United States.

“We are observing with concern the unfortunate developments occurring in South Korea,” Zakharova remarked during a news briefing. She added, “The situation on the Korean peninsula is already complicated by the provocative actions of the United States and its allies.”

In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a treaty in Pyongyang that included a mutual defense agreement. The United States, South Korea, and Ukraine have accused North Korea of deploying over 10,000 troops to Russia’s Kursk region, where Russian forces are engaged in efforts to displace Ukrainian soldiers. Moscow has not confirmed or denied the presence of these troops.