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| ▲ A banner that reads "victory will be ours" in Russian hangs over the Russian Embassy in Seoul on Feb. 22, 2026. (Yonhap) |
Russian Embassy-controversy
Russian Embassy in Seoul to remove controversial banner alluding to war with Ukraine
SEOUL, Feb. 23 (Yonhap) -- The Russian Embassy in Seoul said Monday it plans to remove a controversial banner on its outer wall after celebrating Russian national holidays in February amid speculation the message might allude to Russia's war with Ukraine.
The embassy in central Seoul recently put up a red vertical banner covering several stories that reads "victory will be ours" in Russian, a phrase historically used during World War II.
The foreign ministry subsequently lodged its concerns with the embassy, saying the banner could create unnecessary tensions with South Korean citizens and other countries, but it remained in place as of Sunday.
The embassy on Monday described displaying banners at foreign embassies as "general custom," saying the banner was installed to mark two Russian holidays in February -- Diplomat's Day and Defender of the Fatherland Day.
It said the banner is only a temporary installation and was planned to be removed after related celebratory events are completed.
The embassy also defended the banner, saying it bears a phrase familiar to all Russians and is related to several historic moments in Russian history, and that it does not harm anyone's sentiments if the historic context is taken into consideration.
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