Korean Embassy in Russia - Address & Contact

Entry requirements may change without notice. Always check the latest travel advisories on the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs website before traveling.

Korea and Russia normalized diplomatic relations in September 1990, marking a historic breakthrough at the end of the Cold War. Through the 1990s and 2000s, the two countries built substantial economic ties, with bilateral trade reaching nearly $30 billion annually by the late 2010s. However, Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 fundamentally altered the relationship. Korea joined international sanctions and halted most military-related exports, and two-way trade has contracted sharply. North Korea's military cooperation with Russia has added further complications. Despite the current tensions, Korea's position has been to maintain consular presence and protect the interests of its nationals and the large ethnic Korean community.

Prior to 2022, Korea was among Russia's top trading partners globally. At its peak, two-way trade exceeded $27 billion. Since the Ukraine war and resulting sanctions, trade has fallen significantly — Korean exports of around $6.16 billion consist largely of civilian goods not covered by sanctions, while imports of approximately $8.89 billion include energy products, raw materials, and goods still permitted under the sanctions regime. The long-term trajectory of the trade relationship remains uncertain and is closely tied to geopolitical developments.