We will not sit idly by: South Korea outlines conditions for supplying weapons to Ukraine
Photo: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (Getty Images)
South Korea may consider providing weapons to Ukraine, depending on the extent of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, states South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol during a press conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda.
During his speech, he stated that South Korea will not "sit idly by" in response to North Korea sending troops to Russia.
"If North Korea sends special forces to the war in Ukraine, we will provide support to Ukraine step by step and consider taking the necessary measures to ensure the security of the Korean Peninsula," Yoon said.
According to him, South Korea adheres to the principle of not supplying lethal weapons directly, but in this case, it may reconsider the issue. This will depend on North Korea’s military activity.
"The Republic of Korea will never sit idly by and will take the necessary measures step by step in coordination with the international community, depending on the development of military cooperation between North Korea and Russia," he stated.
What South Korea could send to Ukraine
The new agency War Zone previously reported growing concerns in South Korea over the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia.
Kim Tae-hyo, the First Deputy National Security Advisor, stated that if the illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia continues, South Korea will not remain passive but respond decisively in collaboration with the international community.
According to media reports, there is a possibility that South Korea could send personnel to Ukraine to observe the tactics and combat capabilities of North Korean special forces.
The South Korean team would likely consist of military intelligence officers who could analyze North Korean combat tactics or participate in interrogating captured North Korean soldiers.
Additionally, Seoul has a range of defense systems that it could provide to Ukraine. This includes the Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile system, which could help strengthen Ukraine's air defense.
South Korea could also supply offensive weapons such as artillery shells, howitzers, tanks, and multiple rocket launchers.
At the same time, the media noted that since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, South Korea has provided 155mm shells to the United States under the condition that the US is the "end user." Observers believe that this could have allowed Seoul to provide indirect military support to Ukraine.
It's also worth noting that South Korea possesses ballistic missiles and fighter jets, which could also be of interest to Ukraine.
Russia has requested soldiers from North Korea
Recently, it became known that North Korea has sent troops to Russia for training to participate in the war against Ukraine. The soldiers are undergoing training at four military ranges, as evidenced by videos. According to intelligence reports, North Korea could have sent up to 11,000 troops. Meanwhile, South Korea reports that there are currently around 3,000 soldiers, and this number could increase to 10,000 by December.
In addition, South Korea recently condemned North Korea's decision to send its troops to Russia, stating that this will have consequences for the North Koreans.
