South Korea explains criteria for military aid to Ukraine

The South Korean Foreign Minister made this statement at a joint conference in Washington, DC, with Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

When reporters asked about the potential for South Korea to supply arms to Ukraine, the South Korean Foreign Ministry official outlined several factors on which such a decision could depend.

"And going forward regarding our plan to provide weapons to Ukraine, there was a question. As was mentioned by President Yoon (President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea -ed.), depending on the developments in military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, relevant measures, corresponding measures, will be taken accordingly," he said.

The South Korean minister emphasized that Seoul needs to assess the extent of North Korea's involvement with Russian forces. Additionally, South Korea must verify what Pyongyang will receive in exchange for Moscow.

"So we will have to watch that before making a decision as to the weapons support that we will be providing to Ukraine. So currently, we are not in a position to share the specifics," the South Korean Foreign Minister concluded.

Sending DPRK troops to Russia and issues of weapons from South Korea to Ukraine

Earlier, several countries, including Ukraine, the United States, and South Korea, confirmed reports of North Korea sending troops to Russia. It was also reported that South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol recently discussed the matter with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who confirmed that North Korean forces had been stationed in the Kursk region, positioned on the front lines to take part in the war against Ukraine.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, around 12,000 North Korean troops have already been deployed to Russia, with some spotted in the Kursk region.

Recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed North Korean troops' involvement in the war with his South Korean counterpart.

Previously, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, commenting on the North Korean troop presence in Russia, assured Seoul, "We will not sit idly by." He also pledged continued support for Ukraine should North Korea send special forces into the war.

On October 30, Western media circulated rumors that South Korea is contemplating direct shipments of 155mm artillery shells to Ukraine. However, the South Korean President's Office refuted this information.

Notably, since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, Seoul has not provided military aid to Kyiv.

On October 31, President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine would send South Korea a detailed arms request.

Additionally, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reported that Washington has documented the presence of approximately 8,000 North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region, who could engage in combat within days.