South Korea Considers Providing Weapons to Ukraine Amid North Korea’s Involvement in Russia’s War.
In a significant shift in its foreign policy, South Korea is not ruling out the possibility of providing weapons directly to Ukraine, following North Korea’s deployment of troops to support Russia in its ongoing war.
President Yoon Suk-yeol signaled this potential change in stance, stating that Pyongyang’s involvement in the conflict presents a threat to Seoul, as the reclusive state’s soldiers gain much-needed combat experience and receive sensitive military technology transfers from Moscow.
“Now, depending on the level of North Korean involvement, we will gradually adjust our support strategy in phases,” Yoon said during a news conference on Thursday. “This means we are not ruling out the possibility of providing weapons.”
South Korea, a major arms exporter, has long maintained a policy of not providing weapons to countries engaged in conflict. However, Yoon emphasized that if his government decides to provide weapons to Ukraine, the initial batch would be “defensive” in nature.
“If we proceed with weapons support, we would prioritize defensive weapons as a first consideration,” Yoon said, without elaborating further.
The shifting stance comes as intelligence reports from Seoul, Washington, and NATO have revealed that North Korea has deployed 10,000 troops to Russia, indicating a deeper involvement in the war than previously known.
Yoon’s remarks suggest a significant departure from the more dovish approach of his predecessor, Moon Jae-in, as he seeks to strengthen security ties with the United States and take a tougher stance against the nuclear-armed North Korea.
However, the growing threat posed by North Korea’s involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict appears to have compelled Yoon’s government to reevaluate its stance, potentially opening the door for more active support for Ukraine’s defense efforts.
This development underscores the complex geopolitical landscape in the region and the evolving security challenges faced by South Korea as it navigates its relationships with its neighbors and the global powers.
