Overview
- The embassy took down the roughly 15‑meter banner from its outer wall on Feb. 24 and shifted a planned Defender of the Fatherland Day gathering indoors.
- South Korea’s Foreign Ministry had demanded removal and restated that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is illegal, while several European diplomats also voiced concern.
- The mission initially defended the slogan as a historical phrase tied to February Russian holidays and said the display was temporary.
- Under the Vienna Convention, South Korean authorities cannot enter diplomatic premises to remove such materials without the mission’s consent.
- Tensions have been elevated by recent embassy messaging, including the ambassador’s praise of North Korean fighters, and a small protest took place outside after the banner came down.