S. Korea to review issue of arms supplies to Ukraine
The Republic of Korea intends to re-consider the issue of direct arms supplies to Ukraine – as stated by Chang Ho-jin, the National Security Adviser for President Yoon Suk Yeol, TASS reports
“The government plans to re-consider the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine,” Yonhap news agency quoted him as saying. Chang Ho-jin accused Russia and North Korea of ‘reneging on international obligations’ and called absurd ‘promises of military co-operation based on the assumption of a preemptive strike from the international community’.
At the same time, the news agency quotes an unnamed South Korean official as saying that the Republic of Korea intends to maintain ‘strategic ambiguity’ regarding the types of weapons. “Specific measures will be announced later. It will be more interesting to see how Russia reacts than to reveal our plans in advance,” he said.
Previously, the Republic of Korea provided humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and supplied non-lethal military items. On May 9th, the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, said that his country adheres to the principle of not providing lethal weapons to Ukraine.
Chang Ho-jin compared the special military operation to the Korean War. “Any assistance — direct or indirect — in strengthening North Korea’s military force violates UN Security Council resolutions,” he added. According to him, Russia’s assistance to the DPRK threatens the security of the Republic of Korea.
Earlier, Russia and the DPRK signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, envisaging the provision of military assistance in case of war as a result of aggression against one of the parties.
