The South Korean Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Resources has announced the removal of sanctions on exporting medical equipment to Russia. This decision was made in response to the difficulties faced by exporting companies. Under the new regulations, exporters will only need to notify the ministry of shipments, significantly reducing bureaucratic burdens on businesses. The easing of restrictions applies to humanitarian medical equipment with minimal potential for military use, including diagnostic X-ray systems and radiation visualization apparatus.
This move contrasts with recent expansions of sanctions by South Korea, which in December 2024 added 11 individuals and 15 organizations to its restrictive lists due to alleged military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. Meanwhile, the European Union has approved its 16th package of anti-Russian sanctions, including bans on importing unprocessed aluminum from Russia, restrictions on shadow fleets, tightened transport embargos, and expanded financial restrictions affecting Russian banks and the Federal Security Service (FSB).
