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19 April, 2023
South Korea has announced its first potential weapon transfer to Ukraine

The sources citing the President of Ukraine underline that this is the first announcement on possible extension of support of Ukraine, going beyond humanitarian and economic aid. 

Yoon Suk-yeol stated that if there occurred a situation the international commonwealth cannot tolerate, South Korea “will find it hard to continue the line of purely humanitarian or financial support.” He referred to “any large-scale assault of the civilians, mass murder, or a serious violation of the laws of the war.” 

“I think there will be no limitations, what concerns the support of defense and recovery of Ukraine – the state that encountered an illegal invasion both in terms of international and domestic law. However, considering our relations with the parties of the war and the battlefield developments, we will take the most reasonable measures,” said the President of South Korea who is to visit the USA the next week. 

Please be reminded that South Korea is the ally of the USA, although until now, it tried to stay neutral in terms of conflict with Russia. Meanwhile, Ukraine and its western partners attempted to convince Seoul to send armament to Ukraine. It should be noted that South Korea is one of the world-leading armament manufacturers, specifically, tanks and military aircraft.

Last autumn, Olena Trehub, Executive Director of NAKO, visited the South Korea to meet the Korean politicians, academia, representatives of defense companies and NGOs to establish a closer cooperation between the countries.

She appealed to South Korea not to remain a passive observer. Its support would contribute to Ukraine’s swifter victory. This, in its turn, will impact the security of not only Europe but also South Korea itself and the entire Eastern Asia. 

Talking to journalists, Olena Trehub called not to overrate the power of Russia defeated by Ukraine. “Currently, South Korea does not provide enough help to Ukraine. Although it received a lot of help from different countries once. Korea does not provide active armament aid and is passive in terms of sanctions against Russia. Staying neutral during this war is equal to supporting the genocide,” she said.

South Korea being a major global weapon manufacturer announced the possibility of rendering military aid to Ukraine for the first time. The mass media cite the country’s president who stated that if there occurred a situation the international commonwealth cannot tolerate, South Korea “will find it hard to continue the line of purely humanitarian or financial support.” 

“I think there will be no limitations, what concerns the support of defense and recovery of Ukraine – the state that encountered an illegal invasion both in terms of international and domestic law. However, considering our relations with the parties of the war and the battlefield developments, we will take the most appropriate measures,” said Yoon Suk-yeol. 

 South Korea tried to stay away from conflicting with Russia. This announcement is a result of diplomatic work conducted by Ukraine and our western partners.  

NAKO also joined the process. Last autumn, Olena Trehub, the head of the organization, visited the South Korea to meet the Korean politicians, academia, representatives of defense companies and NGOs. Executive Director of NAKO appealed for South Korea to allocate weapon to Ukraine. This will contribute to Ukraine’s swift victory which will impact the security of not only Europe but also South Korea itself and the entire Eastern Asia.