Regarding Media Reports on the Shipments of Refined Petroleum Products from Korea to Russia: Korea’s official press release to clarify recent media coverage

[Translation]

Regarding the October 6 article published by The Guardian, titled “Fuel from Korea being shipped to Russia as Ukraine war grinds on,” the Korean government provides the following explanation.
The commercial petroleum products mentioned in The Guardian report, including diesel and aviation fuel, are not subject to Korea’s export controls against Russia. Therefore, as *The Guardian* itself reported, the loading of refined petroleum products at Korean ports does not constitute a violation of Korean domestic law.
Korea’s export controls against Russia primarily cover strategically important items, including industrial machinery, electronic products, and vehicles. Items subject to export controls are determined through interministerial consultations following a comprehensive assessment of ▲ potential military applications, ▲ economic implications, and ▲ international coordination.
Specifically, under the Foreign Trade Act, the Korean government ▲ completely prohibits the export of strategic items and ▲ subjects exports of 1,402 categories of non-strategic items that could potentially be used for military purposes to catch-all licensing requirements, thereby enforcing stringent export controls against Russia. As a result, Korea’s exports to Russia have declined significantly, from US$10 billion in 2021 to US$4 billion in 2025. Despite the economic burden these restrictions impose on Korean citizens and businesses, the government continues to participate in international efforts to maintain peace through its export controls against Russia.

※ Korea’s exports to Russia: (2021) US$10 billion → (2022) US$6.3 billion → (2023) US$6.1 billion → (2024) US$4.5 billion → (2025) US$4 billion
※ Share of exports to Russia in Korea’s total exports: (2021) 1.5% → (2025) 0.6%

Furthermore, it has not been confirmed that Korean-produced fuels, including diesel, were exported. In addition, the mere fact that a vessel traveled to another country rather than proceeding directly to the final destination declared in its shipping documents is insufficient to conclude that a false destination declaration was made. Accordingly, the Korean government intends to further verify the vessels’ actual routes, whether their destinations differed from those stated in their declarations, and, if so, the reasons for those discrepancies, before determining whether any violations of domestic law occurred.

※ According to Korea International Trade Association statistics (2025–August 2026), diesel, aviation fuel, automotive gasoline, and similar products have not been exported from Korea to Russia. (This means that no such exports to Russia have been recorded as having undergone customs clearance procedures.)

The Korean government is currently seeking additional information concerning the vessel cases reported by The Guardian. If the investigation confirms any violations of Korean laws or regulations, the government intends to take appropriate measures in accordance with the law. As a responsible member of the international community, the Korean government will continue to rigorously enforce its export controls against Russia and strengthen monitoring efforts to prevent the circumvention of these restrictions.