In rare stand, South Korea, Singapore unveil sanctions on Russia

Singapore is among the few Asian countries to announce sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine [File: Wong Maye-E/Pool]

South Korea and Singapore have unveiled sanctions to punish Russia for invading Ukraine, offering rare pushback against Moscow in a region that has largely avoided taking sides in the conflict.

Seoul will ban exports of strategic items, join other countries in blocking some Russian banks from the SWIFT international payments system, and boost aid to Ukraine, the country’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday.