South Korea on its military aid for Ukraine: It depends on Russia's approach towards North Korea

Chang Ho-jin, South Korea's National Security Adviser, has stated that his country will determine the scale of armament supply for Ukraine depending on how Russia will build its relation with North Korea.

Source: Yonhap with reference to the conversation with South Korea's national security adviser

Details: Yonhap noted that Chang Ho-jin had said in a phone conversation that South Korea’s position depends on Russia’s future actions.

"There are various options for providing weapons, and our position on the recent developments between Russia and North Korea depends on how Russia approaches the situation going forward," Chang Ho-jin said.

The media outlet reports with reference to its sources in the South Korean government that among the potential weapons which South Korea can supply Ukraine with there are 155 mm artillery ammunition, as well as air defence systems.

"Seoul officials have maintained strategic ambiguity regarding the types of weapons, seen as a diplomatic move to leverage the option to pressure Moscow to refrain from transferring key military technology to Pyongyang," Yonhap reports.

The agency noted that until now South Korea only supplied Ukraine with non-lethal weapons due to the country’s policy against providing lethal weapons to countries in a state of war.

Background:

• During a press conference in Vietnam, Putin responded to reports that South Korea would consider supplying weapons to Ukraine after he and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement.
• Putin claimed that it will be a "big mistake" if South Korea provides lethal weapons to Ukraine.

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