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South Korean President Moon Jae-in presides over a joint meeting of the National Security Council and an economic security strategy council at the Blue House on Feb. 22. (provided by the Blue House)

South Korean President Moon Jae-in announced that South Korea intends to take part in international sanctions against Russia in response to its attack on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and other parts of the country Thursday.

After receiving a report on the war in Ukraine from National Security Office Director Suh Hoon that afternoon, Moon stressed that the “use of armed force that causes losses of innocent lives cannot be justified under any circumstances,” Blue House Senior Presidential Secretary for Public Affairs Park Soo-hyun said in a briefing later in the day.

Moon said, “Regretfully, the armed invasion of Ukraine that we had been fearing has come to pass, in spite of continued warnings from the international community and efforts to resolve the issues through diplomacy.”

“As a responsible member of the international community, the Republic of Korea will send its support to and take part in the efforts of the international community to peacefully resolve the situation, including economic sanctions,” he continued.

Moon also issued directions to the relevant agencies, asking them to “take the necessary measures and make every preparation to ensure the safety of South Korean citizens overseas and to minimize the impact on the economy and businesses.”

Commenting on the prospects of sanctions against Russia, a senior South Korean government official said, “We aren’t considering independent sanctions.”

The official explained Moon’s message as meaning that South Korea would “take part alongside the international community in Russian export controls and other sanctions if Russia proceeds in any way with full-scale war.”

By Lee Wan, staff reporter; Lee Je-hun, senior staff writer

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]