South Korea will determine the extent of its arms supply to Ukraine based on Russia’s stance toward its relations with North Korea, a presidential official said Friday.
National Security Adviser Chang Ho-jin said Thursday South Korea will review the possibility of supplying weapons to Ukraine after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a pact pledging mutual defense in the event of war.
In response, Putin warned South Korea would be making a “big mistake” if it decided to supply lethal weapons to Ukraine.
“There are various options for providing weapons, and our position on the recent developments between Russia and North Korea depends on how Russia approaches the situation going forward,” the official said in a phone call with Yonhap News Agency.
South Korea has only supplied non-lethal items and equipment to Ukraine for its war against Russia under a policy that bans providing lethal weapons to countries at war.
Among potential weapons under consideration are 155-mm artillery shells, as well as air defense systems, which are needed in Ukraine, according to government sources.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240621006000315?section=national/defense
