Russia became South Korea’s largest aluminum supplier in 2025 after Korean imports from the country reached a record 483,084 tons, up 41% from the previous year and more than triple the 120,629 tons imported in 2021. The total exceeded imports from Australia and China. Russian aluminum cost Korean buyers $2,744 per ton, compared with $4,424 for Chinese material and $2,659 for Australian supplies, giving companies a strong price incentive despite rising sanctions exposure. Rusal, one of the world’s largest aluminum producers, represents roughly 5.5% of global output. The European Union’s 16th sanctions package, approved in February 2025, capped Russian primary aluminum imports at 80% of the previous year’s volume, or about 275,000 tons, before a complete ban at the end of 2026. Belarusian aluminum was also covered. The United States and Britain prohibited Russian aluminum, copper and nickel imports in April 2024. South Korea has adopted Western restrictions on advanced-technology exports and financial transactions but has not banned Russian aluminum or other energy and material imports. Researchers warn that Korean companies could face financial restrictions, partner-led compliance limits and possible secondary sanctions (penalties imposed on third-country dealings) as Western pressure increases. Washington already applies a 200% tariff to products made with aluminum smelted or cast in Russia. The risks are particularly acute for Korea’s defense industry, where aluminum alloys and aluminum-lithium alloys are used in missile bodies, wings and fins. An industry source said domestic missile programs such as Cheongung-II rely on Russia for most aluminum imports, creating concerns for defense products that are often exported. Korea’s defense exports rose 60% to $15.4 billion in 2025, while the order backlog at its four leading defense contractors exceeded 100 trillion won ($70.8 billion) by the end of the first quarter.