South Korea A South Korean pharmaceutical company manufacturing Russia's Covid-19 vaccine says it's bracing for business complications as the US-led West escalates sanctions against Russia over the invasion of Ukraine, AP reports.

Kim Gi-young, an official from Seoul-based GL Rapha, said the sanctions won't directly impede its production of the shots as the measures aren't aimed at essential medical supplies.

However, the company is concerned about potential problems arising from the financial side as South Korea joins the United States and many European countries in a move to cut off key Russian banks from global payment systems.