Reuters: S. Korea President does not rule out possibility of supplying weapons to Ukraine
The Republic of Korea may start sending weapons to Ukraine if the country’s civilian population face a serious threat – as stated by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in an interview with Reuters, TASS reports
"If there is a situation the international community cannot condone, such as any large-scale attack on civilians… or serious violation of the laws of war, it might be difficult for us to insist only on humanitarian or financial support [to Kiev]," Yoon Suk Yeol said.
The publication emphasised that the South Korean leader spoke for the first time about the possibility of transferring weapons to Kiev.
According to Yoon Suk Yeol, his country is exploring various ways to ‘assist Ukraine in its defence and reconstruction’. The President said that in this case ‘there won't be limitations to the extent of the support to defend and restore [the country] under international and domestic law’. He added that the Republic of Korea will take ‘the most appropriate measures’ taking into account its relations with the parties to the conflict and the development of the situation on the battlefield.
Seoul supplied Kiev with humanitarian aid, as well as military items such as helmets and bulletproof vests, but not weapons. In November 2022, The Wall Street Journal newspaper, citing sources, reported that the Republic of Korea would sell 100 thousand artillery shells to the United States for their subsequent transfer to Ukraine. According to the South Korean Defence Ministry, in the negotiations on supplies, it proceeds from the premise that the American side is the final recipient of ammunition.
