Reuters. South Korea might extend its support for Ukraine beyond humanitarian and economic aid if it comes under a large-scale civilian attack, President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Tuesday (April 18), signaling a shift in his stance against arming Ukraine for the first time.
In an interview with Reuters ahead of his state visit to the U.S. next week, Yoon said his government has been exploring how to help defend and rebuild Ukraine, just as South Korea received international assistance during the 1950-53 Korean War.
"If there is a situation the international community cannot condone, such as any large-scale attack on civilians, massacre or serious violation of the laws of war, it might be difficult for us to insist only on humanitarian or financial support," Yoon spoke to Reuters correspondents but did not grant an on-camera TV interview.
It was the first time that Seoul suggested a willingness to provide weapons to Ukraine, more than a year after ruling out the possibility of lethal aid.
A key U.S. ally and major producer of artillery ammunition, South Korea has so far tried to avoid antagonizing Russia due to its companies operating there and Moscow's influence over North Korea, despite mounting pressure from western countries for weapons supply.
The Kremlin said on Wednesday (April 19) that South Korea supplying military aid to Ukraine would mean Seoul becoming involved in the conflict to a certain extent.
Former Russian President, now Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev wrote in his official Telegram Channel on Wednesday, that if South Korea would supply Ukraine with the weapons, they could see North Korea having the Russian latest designed weapons.
"South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said that basically, this state is ready to supply weapons to the Kyiv regime. Moreover, until recently, the South Koreans ardently assured that the possibility of supplying lethal weapons to Kyiv was completely ruled out. I wonder what the inhabitants of this country will say when they see their closest neighbors, our partners from North Korea having the latest designs of Russian weapons,' Medvedev wrote.
