SOUTH Korea today said it will implement export controls against close Russia ally Belarus for “effectively supporting the Russian invasion of Ukraine”.

Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said the restrictions will be similar to those previously imposed on Moscow, without detailing the specific measures that will be taken.

South Korea last month said it will tighten export controls against Russia by banning shipments of strategic items and join Western countries in suspending financial transactions with several major Russian banks.

“Our government today decided to implement export control measures against Belarus as well, as Belarus is effectively supporting the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” said the ministry in a statement.

Russia’s military has used Belarus as an important staging ground for its assault on neighbouring Ukraine, though Belarusian strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko has stressed his own forces have not taken part.

South Korea’s decision comes as Western governments, sporting organisations and a growing list of major companies have isolated Russia, levelling punishing sanctions over the internationally condemned attack on its neighbour.

After days of violence, Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday warned Ukraine it may cease to exist as a state if leaders “continue to do what they are doing”.

He said any country imposing a “no-fly zone” over Kyiv will be considered combatants, and equated economic sanctions with a declaration of war.

The International Monetary Fund warned the already “serious” global economic impacts of the war in Ukraine will be “all the more devastating” should the conflict escalate. – AFP, March 6, 2022.