Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, said that if South Korea begins to send weapons to Ukraine, Russia can supply the newest weapons to North Korea.
“Until recently, the South Koreans have enthusiastically assured that the possibility of supplying deadly weapons to Kiev is completely eliminated. What will the inhabitants of this country say when they see the latest samples of Russian weapons from their closest neighbors – our partners from the DPRK? – Medvedev wrote in Telegram.
On April 19, President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Sok-yeol for the first time accepted the possibility of supplying weapons to Ukraine. The head of state stated this on the eve of his visit to the United States.
“If a situation arises that the international community cannot tolerate,” Seoul “may find it difficult to insist on just humanitarian or financial support,” the president said, quoted by Reuters.
As an example of such a situation, Yoon Seok Yeol cited “a large-scale attack on civilians, massacres or serious violations of the laws of war.”
He added that he will take a decision to assist Ukraine, taking into account the situation in South Korea in the war zone and Kiev’s relations with the parties involved in the conflict.
According to Yoon Seok-yeol, the South Korean government is exploring ways to defend and rebuild Ukraine, just as Seoul received foreign aid during the 1950-1953 Korean War.
Reuters notes that South Korea, a major producer of artillery munitions and armored vehicles, has so far refused to supply arms to Kiev, fearing the possible consequences for its companies operating in the Russian Federation.
“There is nothing new in this”
Commenting on the South Korean president’s stance, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said such a decision would mean Seoul’s “involvement at a certain stage” in the conflict in Ukraine.
“There is nothing fundamentally new in this. And sanctions etc. “Unfortunately, Seoul has taken quite hostile stances throughout this whole story,” he said. “Of course, more and more countries will try to enter this conflict directly.”
In contrast, Grigory Karasin, chairman of the Federation Council’s international relations committee, believes that the announcement regarding the possible supply of arms to Ukraine was made under pressure.
“I have the impression that South Korea is under strong pressure, especially from the United States,” Karasin said. Lenta.ru.
The senator also expressed the view that the decision to send military aid to the Armed Forces of Ukraine would be hasty. “At least for everything that’s going on around South Korea and Ukraine, this is a hasty decision, I can say right away,” he said.
How is South Korea helping Ukraine?
Seoul began to support Kiev immediately after the start of the Russian military operation. At the same time, deliveries included only humanitarian and non-lethal aid: drugs, bulletproof helmets, body armor, tents and blankets, chemical and radiological protection equipment.
In early March 2023, South Korean Prime Minister Han Dok-soo assured that Seoul would not yet supply arms to Kiev.
In April, Reuters reported, citing leaked Pentagon documents, that South Korea had agreed to sell US artillery shells to help Washington resupply. Seoul insisted that the “end consumer” of the shells should be the US military, and expressed concerns that the ammunition could end up in Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has previously stated that South Korea “fears the reaction of Russia and China” and therefore refuses to supply arms to Kiev. Former South Korean Ambassador Kwon Ki Chang told the Washington Post in early April that Seoul could face “economic and diplomatic revenge” from Moscow. He believes that the transfer of weapons to Ukraine will help its military, but then Seoul “faces a real threat of retaliation.”