President Yoon Suk-yeol answers questions from reporters as he arrives at his office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

Russian president uses NK as leverage for thwarting Seoul's Ukraine support

By Nam Hyun-woo

President Yoon Suk-yeol said Friday that South Korea has never sent lethal arms to Ukraine, dismissing Russian President Vladimir Putin's warning that the relations between Seoul and Moscow would be ruined if Seoul did so.

"We have always been providing humanitarian and peaceful support to Ukraine in coalition with the international community, and have not provided any lethal weapons," Yoon told reporters on his way into the presidential office in Seoul.

"In any regard, however, this is a matter of our sovereignty and you should know that we are making efforts to have peaceful and sound relations with all countries in the world, including Russia."

Yoon made the comments when asked about Putin's remarks at the Valdai international discussion club meeting in Moscow, Thursday (local time).

"We have very good relations with the Republic of Korea, and we have always had the opportunity to have a dialogue with both the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)," Putin said. "But now we know that the Republic of Korea has decided to supply weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. This will destroy our relationship."

Putin continued by bringing up Russia's involvement in inter-Korean relations, saying "How would the Republic of Korea react if we resume cooperation with North Korea in this area? Would it make you happy?"

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the session "The World after Hegemony: Justice and Security for Everyone" of the Valdai International Discussion Club outside Moscow, Thursday (local time). EPA-Yonhap

So far, the South Korean government has maintained its stance that it will only provide non-weapon supplies to Ukraine, such as bulletproof vests, helmets, tents, blankets and medical supplies.

During his virtual address to South Korea's National Assembly in April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked South Korea to provide help so that the country could stand up against Russia, but Seoul responded by providing humanitarian aid, in apparent consideration of its relations with Moscow.

Despite Seoul's stance, there have been reports and allegations that South Korean shells, missiles and other types of weapons have been supplied to Ukraine via third countries.

In May, Canada, which was trying to supply artillery shells and ammunition to Ukraine, asked South Korea to export more than 100,000 155-millimeter shells, sparking speculation of indirect assistance. However, this did not result in a deal.

Foreign analysts also point out that Seoul's recent large-scale arms deals with Poland, which involve howitzers and battle tanks, are providing indirect assistance to Ukraine.

When asked about indirect or unintended weapon support to Ukraine, an official at South Korea's defense ministry said it is "very difficult" to answer questions on how weapons exported to other countries are being used.

Against this backdrop, Putin's remarks are interpreted as a potential warning to rule out any possibility of Seoul providing weapons or ammunition to Ukraine in the future, as well as preventing indirect assistance to Ukraine via Poland, by leveraging its relationship with North Korea.

Russia and North Korea have been strengthening their ties in recent years, following a summit between Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in April 2019. In July, North Korea recognized the independence of Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), which were created by Russia-supported separatists in Ukraine. Other than Russia itself, only North Korea and Syria have recognized the two entities as countries.

Seoul's presidential office is accepting Putin's remark as Russia's stance on this matter, rather than a warning, but noted that the matter of supporting Ukraine is up to South Korea.

"Our stance remains the same that we have not provided non-humanitarian aid or lethal weapons to Ukraine," an official at the presidential office said. "However, Yoon's comment on the sovereignty means that whatever type of support we provide to Ukraine, it is our decision."