South Korean President Does Not Rule Out Delivery Of Weapons Aid To Ukraine, Russia: Unfriendly Position

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. (Wikimedia Commons/KOCIS/Jeon Han)

JAKARTA - South Korea may expand its support for Ukraine beyond humanitarian and economic aid in the event of a large-scale civil strike, President Yoon Suk-yeol said, signaling a shift in his stance on the possibility of arming Ukraine for the first time.

In an interview with Reuters ahead of his state visit to the United States next week, President Yoon said his government had explored how to help maintain and rebuild Ukraine, just like South Korea received international aid during the 1950-53 Korean War.

"If there are situations that the international community cannot forgive, such as large-scale attacks on civilians, massacres or serious violations of war laws, it may be difficult for us to simply provide humanitarian or financial support," President Yoon said.

This is the first time Seoul has suggested a willingness to provide weapons to Ukraine, more than a year after ruling out a possible deadly aid.

Earlier, the US main ally and major manufacturer of artillery ammunition tried to avoid hostilities with Russia, as its company operated there and Moscow's influence over North Korea, despite mounting pressure from western countries for weapons supply.

"I believe there will be no limit to how much support to maintain and restore countries that have been illegally attacked under international and domestic law," President Yoon said.

"However, given our relationship with the parties involved in the war and developments on the battlefield, we will take the most appropriate action," he said.

In response, the Kremlin said any South Korean decision to supply weapons to Ukraine would see Seoul participate in the conflict.

"Unfortunately, Seoul has taken a rather unfriendly position in the whole story," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters at a briefing.

"They will try to draw more countries directly into this conflict. But of course, the indirect start of arms shipments means a certain stage of involvement in this conflict," Peskov said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev warned of the dangers of South Korea's plans to supply weapons to Ukraine.

"A new fan has emerged who wants to help our enemy. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has said that in principle his country is ready to supply weapons to the Kiev regime," Medvedev said on his Telegram channel on Wednesday, citing TASS.

"Until recently, South Korea strongly assured that the possibility of supplying lethal weapons to Kyiv was completely ruled out," he recalled.

"I wonder what people in the country will say when they see Russia's newest weapon in the hands of their closest neighbors - our partners in the DPRK (North Korea)?" Medvedev asked.

"As they say, a quick pro quo," he described the situation as such.

It is known that President Yoon is scheduled to visit Washington next week for a summit with US President Joe Biden, marking the 70th anniversary of the alliance between the two countries.