The President of South Korea, Yoon Seok-yeol, said that the decision to support Ukraine with weapons will be made based on how the new military pact between Russia and North Korea will operate.
Points of attention
- The decision to supply weapons to Ukraine depends on the terms of the new military pact between Russia and North Korea, according to the South Korean president.
- South Korea can support sending weapons to Ukraine, given the level and content of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
- Cooperation between Russia and North Korea poses a serious threat to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in Europe, the South Korean president emphasizes.
- Political applications between Russia and North Korea may affect the possible supply of high-precision weapons to Ukraine by South Korea.
- Security support for Ukraine from another ally, such as South Korea, may be of strategic importance in the context of the geopolitical situation.
South Korea can support sending weapons to Ukraine
The politician said this in an interview with Reuters in response to whether he would allow the supply of weapons to Kyiv. According to Yoon Seok-yeol, Seoul will monitor "the level and content of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea." We are talking about such areas as arms trade, transfer of military technology and assistance with strategic materials.
The South Korean leader will discuss North Korea's apparent threat to Europe with NATO leaders. He emphasized that the Russian Federation must choose between the two Koreas.
Military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is a clear threat and a serious challenge to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in Europe, the president believes.
As noted, relations between the two countries deteriorated after the DPRK sent ballistic missiles and artillery to the Russian Federation for war. Seoul also did not like the new treaty on mutual defence between Moscow and Pyongyang.
In 2022, Yoon Seok-yeol became the first South Korean leader to attend a NATO summit. Now, he is also attending the Alliance's event in Washington.
South Korea's president emphasises the need to strengthen security ties with Europe and other US allies to contain the threat from North Korea. This year, Seoul is expected to take its partnership with NATO to a new level by participating in cyber defense exercises.
Cooperation between Russia and North Korea
On June 19, Russian ruler Vladimir Putin flew to the DPRK for the first time in 24 years and met with Kim Jong Un. Politicians signed documents that strengthen cooperation.
After that, the head of the national security department of the administration of the president of South Korea, Jang Ho-jin, said that Seoul will not be bound by anything in terms of helping Ukraine if Russia transfers high-precision weapons to North Korea.
Forbes wrote that Ukraine will be able to destroy Russian planes if it receives South Korean missiles.
