Global Courant 2023-04-20 11:28:01
SEOUL — South Korea’s decision whether or not to send military aid to Kiev depends on Russia’s actions, Seoul’s presidential office said Thursday, adding that a potential large-scale civilian attack could tip the balance.
Seoul has long had a policy against supplying arms to countries in active conflict, which it has repeatedly said is difficult to supply arms directly to Ukraine.
South Korea has backed US-led sanctions against Moscow and sent humanitarian aid to Kiev, while signing major arms deals – including for tanks and howitzers – with Poland.
On Thursday, President Yoon Suk-yeol’s office said: “South Korea cannot stand idly by while killings take place that the international community takes seriously.”
“What happens next depends on Russia,” a presidential official told reporters on condition of anonymity.
The official said South Korea’s policy of not supplying arms to countries at war is not technically a law, but a “voluntary” undertaking.
“Unless civilian casualties are widespread, our current position will stand,” the official added.
Mr Yoon told media outlets this week that “when there is a situation that the international community cannot approve, such as a large-scale attack on civilians…it may be difficult for us to push for humanitarian or financial support alone” .
This prompted Moscow to warn Seoul about its “unfriendly attitude” on Wednesday, saying the start of arms deliveries would mean “some degree of involvement” in the conflict in Ukraine.
South Korea is a key US ally and a major manufacturer of artillery munitions.
One of the recently leaked US intelligence documents shows that Seoul security officials are torn between South Korea’s existing policy on deadly aid to conflict zones and the West’s increasing demands to secure weapons for Ukraine.
A South Korean official suggested exporting munitions to Poland to circumvent the policy, the document found.
Yoon will travel to the US next week for a state visit. AFP
