South Korea considers sending weapons to Ukraine

2023-04-19 18:53:02

Published in: 19/04/2023 – 18:53Modified in: 19/04/2023 – 18:54

Since the start of the invasion of Ukraine, Seoul has maintained a policy of sending only humanitarian aid to Kiev, thus avoiding damage to the relationship between South Korea and Russia. However, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said in an interview with Reuters that the country is considering sending weapons to Ukraine in the event of a major Russian attack on civilians.

With information from Célio Fioretticorrespondent of RFI in seoul

If South Korea has so far maintained a certain distance from the conflict in Ukraine, taking a position that can be considered ambiguous, President Yoon Suk-yeol’s announcement points to what would be a complete change of posture.

So far, Seoul has been careful not to anger Russian President Vladimir Putin with military support for Ukraine, fearing that such a move could lead Moscow to strengthen its ties and support for North Korea.

Without sending material to Kiev, South Korea contented itself with selling arms to members of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), such as Poland, Russia’s neighbor.

However, Pentagon files leaked last week mention US pressure on South Korea to send weapons to Ukraine, especially anti-aircraft equipment and artillery rounds.

In the event of a “large-scale attack against civilians”

In an interview with Reuters, the president stresses that any military support for Ukraine will only happen on one condition: “If there is a situation that the international community cannot tolerate, such as a large-scale attack against civilians, a massacre or a serious violation of the laws of war, it can be difficult to insist on providing only humanitarian or financial aid”, he justifies.

But it’s not clear what Yoon Suk-yeol means when he talks about a “full-scale attack” against civilians. The matter will probably be discussed at the meeting he will have with Joe Biden at the White House on April 26, when the 70 years of the alliance between the two countries will be celebrated.

Russia criticizes positioning

The South Korean President’s interview caused the Kremlin’s reaction. “Unfortunately, Seoul has taken a very hostile stance on this story,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. “The delivery of weapons would indirectly mean a certain degree of involvement in this conflict,” warned Peskov.

“We have new people willing to help our enemies,” commented former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in a message published on Telegram. “I wonder what the people of this country will say when they see the latest Russian weapons with their neighbors, our partners in North Korea,” he added.