South Korea considering arming Ukraine after Russia-DPRK defense pact
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According to the presidential office, South Korea would maintain its strategic ambiguity about the kinds of arms it supplies to Ukraine while reevaluating the matter.
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A TV screen shows DPRK leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Pyongyang, during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, June 21, 2024. (AP)
South Korea has decided to examine the possibility of arming Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the DPRK and signed a "comprehensive strategic partnership pact" defense treaty.
Seoul condemned the pact in an official statement on Thursday, arguing that it violated UN sanctions.
According to the presidential office, South Korea would maintain its strategic ambiguity about the kinds of arms it supplies to Ukraine while reevaluating the matter.
National Security Advisor Chang Ho-jin relayed to reporters, "Specific measures will be revealed later, and it will be interesting to see how Russia responds, rather than revealing our plans in advance".
Chang stated that the agreement will help the DPRK develop its armed forces. "We plan to reconsider the issue of arms support to Ukraine."
During his visit to the DPRK, Putin indicated on Wednesday that Moscow and Pyongyang have vowed to support each other against foreign aggression. He described the treaty he signed with Kim as "truly a breakthrough."
The Russian leader pointed out that the document "provides, among other things, for mutual aid in case of aggression against one of the participants," affirming that Moscow supports Pyongyang’s right to protect its security and sovereignty from potential Western aggression.
He also attributed the rising tensions in the region to the actions of the US and its allies.
In response, Tokyo and Seoul expressed concern about the agreement between Russia and the DPRK, claiming it violates the UN Security Council's resolutions.
However, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov insisted on Wednesday that Moscow's ties with Pyongyang were in line with international rules.
This comes two weeks after the South Korean government reportedly authorized a decision to halt a 2018 agreement aimed at reducing tensions between the DPRK and South Korea, according to the Yonhap News Agency.
