The Zenit St Petersburg striker was brought on after rival substitute Lee Keun-Ho put South Korea ahead with a shot that Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev disastrously parried over his head into the net.
The result left both countries trailing Belgium who head the Group H table after beating Algeria 2-1 earlier.
Russia, who host the 2018 finals, were looking to make an impact in their landmark return.
Russia 1:1 Korea Republic Match Highlights
What seemed like a fairly tepid 25-yard effort from Lee Keun-Ho turned into an absolute disaster as Akinfeev let it slip through his hands to see his side go 1-0 behind.
Memories for Capello must have immediately turned to one thing - Robert Green.
'Kid's mistake' - Is it time for Capello to axe Akinfeev?
The Russia No.1 has come under scrutiny in recent months due to patchy club form and his high-profile blunder against Korea in the World Cup means no easing of pressure.
...he walked into the throng of Russian reporters and faced the music - albeit with his eyes to the floor like a condemned man.
"It was a kid's mistake," he said. "I take full responsibility for it. The goalkeeper of the national team should not be making errors like that."