(LEAD) Russian Embassy removes banner, cancels external event amid controversy

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SEOUL, Feb. 24 (Yonhap) — The Russian Embassy in Seoul on Tuesday eliminated a controversial banner on its outer wall of the embassy advanced amid hypothesis the message may allude to Russia’s warfare with Ukraine, whereas canceling an exterior occasion commemorating its army.

The elimination got here after the embassy lately triggered controversy by hanging a banner on the outside wall of its constructing that learn “victory might be ours” in Russian. The phrase, although used throughout World Conflict II, drew criticism for being paying homage to the warfare with Ukraine.

The embassy had additionally deliberate to carry an occasion commemorating Defender of the Fatherland Day close to its constructing in central Seoul on the day, however is claimed to have canceled the plan on the final minute and transformed it into an inner occasion.

The precise cause for the cancellation is but to be recognized however some interpreted it as a response to the unfavourable exterior views on the occasion.

Although the exterior occasion was canceled, South Korean civic activists and a few Russians staged a one-person protest in entrance of the embassy. Hong Jeong-sik, head of Hwalbindan, a civic group, held a picket signal studying “Cease Putin. Cease Conflict,” chanting slogans equivalent to “Take down the ugly banner” and “The Republic of Korea opposes warfare.”

ycm@yna.co.kr
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