Russian Embassy in Seoul Banner: Pro-War Stance Defies South Korea

A 15-meter banner proclaiming “Victory Will Be Ours” remains displayed on the wall of the Russian Embassy in Seoul, defying requests from South Korea’s foreign ministry for its removal, officials confirmed Monday.

The banner, a slogan originating from the Soviet Union during World War II, has drawn criticism from Seoul as an apparent reference to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. South Korea’s foreign ministry expressed concerns Sunday that the display could create unnecessary tensions, according to the Yonhap news agency.

The Russian Embassy has so far rejected the request to remove the banner, according to reports from The Korea Times. The embassy has not issued a public statement explaining its decision.

The display comes as Ukraine marks the approach of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, scheduled for Tuesday. Hungary is as well expected to block the EU’s 20th package of sanctions against Russia, according to Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, citing ongoing disputes over the flow of Russian oil through a pipeline supplying Hungarian refineries.

Critics argue the banner serves as war propaganda, glorifying Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The Korea Times characterized the display as a form of “cognitive warfare” aimed at influencing public opinion in South Korea. For Ukrainians living in Korea, the slogan is a “cruel provocation,” according to the newspaper’s editorial.

South Korea’s foreign ministry has not announced any further steps it intends to capture in response to the embassy’s refusal to remove the banner. The Russian Embassy has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the ongoing diplomatic dispute.