SEOUL — South Korea articulated its disappointment on Friday regarding Russia's recent decision to retract its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), as conveyed by foreign ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the statement made by Lim, South Korea laments Russia's revocation of its commitment to the CTBT, a pivotal international measure aimed at hindering the spread and further development of nuclear weapons. The country called on Russia to reevaluate its decision.
This development follows Russian President Vladimir Putin's enactment of legislation on Thursday formalizing Russia's withdrawal from the treaty. Since its adoption in 1996, the CTBT has been instrumental in promoting non-proliferation, with 187 countries having signed and 178 ratifying the treaty. South Korea ratified the CTBT in 1999.
Nevertheless, the treaty has yet to be fully enacted, as eight key nations — the United States, China, North Korea, Iran, Israel, Egypt, India, and Pakistan — have not completed ratification procedures.