Ukraine war: South Korea turns away yachts filled with Russians fleeing military call-up
- A report said at least 21 Russians had arrived aboard yachts at ports in the south of the country, but only two had been granted entry
- There has been an exodus of conscription-age men from Russia since Putin ordered a partial mobilisation last month
On Tuesday, South Korean broadcaster KBS reported that at least 21 Russians had arrived aboard yachts at ports in the south of the country, but only two had been granted entry, while others were refused as authorities deemed their purpose “ambiguous”.
A yacht with five Russian men aboard departed on Tuesday from the South Korean island of Ulleung, having arrived there on September 30 after sailing from the eastern Russian city of Vladivostok, a coastguard official said on Wednesday.
The official said the yacht was “taking cover from bad weather” and the people aboard had received food and other aid, but he declined to specify why they were not granted entry, referring immigration-related queries to the justice ministry.
KBS reported that three yachts had docked in the southeastern port city of Pohang over the past several days, mostly carrying Russian men in their 20-30s.
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Flocks of Russians flee to avoid draft orders, while those who stay receive blessings
One of the yachts had nine Russian men and one woman aboard, while a smaller vessel had four men aboard, it said.
