Seoul ready to join world sanctions against Russia

The South Korean foreign ministry said it will participate in the sanctions against Russia if the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin wages war against Ukraine.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Choi Young-sam said that in that case, the South Korean government will be forced to impose restrictions on exports in response to Russia's action. The comments cam after Putin appeared on Russian TV to announce a military operation that he maintained was to protect civilians in Ukraine. As leaders across Asia and Europe scrambled to condemn the attack, explosions were heard in Kyiv and other cities in Ukraine. Nations around the world this week have also imposed a raft of new sanctions on Russia.