Zelenskyy considers Korean scenario for Ukraine with key differences
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy allows for a "Korean scenario" for Ukraine after the end of the war with Russia. However, there are nuances, Zelenskyy said in an interview with Le Point.
After the Korean War, no real peace treaty was signed, but South Korea managed to prosper.
Zelenskyy was asked what he thought about this example.
"This is an example that shows that values have prevailed. The development of South Korea is incomparable to the development of North Korea, where we observe real economic and civilizational decline. I am not even talking about people, I am talking about infrastructure, economy, and development," the President replied.
He noted that South Korea made a leap forward in civilization, technology, and economy because it cultivates humanism.
"You ask me if this scenario can happen in Ukraine? I tell you that everything is possible. It should be noted that South Korea has a great ally: the United States, which will not allow North Korea to take it under control," Zelenskyy said.
According to him, everything is relative, since South Koreans still face risks. Their economy is thriving, and they are protected by an alliance, but "as long as North Korea remains as it is, as long as the nature of its leadership remains unchanged, South Korea will not be completely safe."
"And believe me, they have numerous air defense systems that guarantee their security. Honestly, Ukraine is determined to obtain reliable security guarantees, for example, Patriot systems, which South Korea has," the President noted.
However, according to him, the comparison with South Korea has its limits: the population of North Korea is a little more than 20 million, while the population of Russia is over 140 million. And the threats from Russia are five, six, or even ten times greater.
"A complete repetition of the South Korean model would probably not suit Ukraine in terms of security. On the other hand, its economic model is a good example," Zelenskyy added.
Back in 2023, former Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov stated that Russia was trying to impose on Ukraine a scenario of freezing the war according to the "Korean model."
However, at that time he noted that Ukraine would not repeat the history of other countries. The war would end exclusively with the defeat of Russia.
That same year, American media reported that the United States was considering a Korean scenario of freezing the war in Ukraine. However, there was no official information, and this topic quickly closed.
