South Korea leaves open military aid to Ukraine

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (Photo: Reuters).

In an interview with Reuters ahead of his visit to the United States on April 18, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said his government is studying measures to support Ukraine's defense and reconstruction.

"If there is a situation that the international community cannot tolerate, such as a large-scale attack on civilian targets, violating the laws of war, it will be difficult for us to commit to only financial or humanitarian assistance (to Ukraine)," President Yoon Suk-yeol said.

This is the first time South Korea has signaled its readiness to provide military support to Ukraine since the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out.

"Depending on our relations with the parties involved in the war in Ukraine and the situation on the battlefield, we will take the most appropriate measures," President Yoon stressed.

Responding to the above comment, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev wrote on Telegram: "There are new parties ready to support our opponents. In principle, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said that his country is ready to supply weapons to the Kiev government. Until recently, South Korea has insisted that it excludes the option of transferring lethal weapons to Kiev. I wonder what the people of this country will say when they see the most modern Russian weapon designs from their neighbor North Korea."

South Korea, a key US ally and a major producer of artillery shells, has so far avoided tensions with Russia due to the many South Korean businesses operating in Russia and Moscow's influence over North Korea.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/han-quoc-de-ngo-vien-tro-quan-su-cho-ukraine-20230419163413640.htm