Russia has strongly urged South Korea to cancel artillery drills near North Korea so as not to provoke a further buildup of tension.
“The Russian Federation insistently calls on the Republic of Korea to refrain from holding the planned artillery firing in order to prevent the further escalation of tensions on the Korean peninsula,” said the Foreign Ministry on Friday.
Voicing “extreme concern” over South Korea's firing plans, Moscow said a similar drill on November 23 had “provoked an exchange of fire... that caused casualties”.
The Russian statement came hours after North Korea warned that it would strike again if South Korea went ahead with its artillery drill.
Moscow said it was “extremely important” to ease tension, restore dialogue and resolve all disputes without using force.
