[尹대통령 국빈 방미]
Russia opposes remarks about ‘conditional arms support’
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In an interview with the Washington Post (WP), an American daily newspaper published on the 24th, President Yoon Seok-yeol said, “We cannot but consider various direct and indirect relations between our country and the belligerent countries” regarding the aid of weapons to Ukraine during the war. In an interview with Reuters, which was reported on the 19th, compared to the first hint of the possibility of ‘conditional’ arms support on the premise of mass killings of Ukrainian civilians, it is a cautious argument by adjusting the level. President Yoon’s WP interview was conducted on the morning of the 20th, the day after the Reuters interview was released. There are also interpretations that the level of remarks may have been adjusted after Russia strongly protested immediately after the interview with Reuters was released, saying, “Korea’s arms support to Ukraine definitely means intervention in this war.”
In an interview with the WP, President Yoon said, “Since Ukraine was illegally invaded, it is right to provide various aids. As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is an act of aggression that disrupts the international order, it suggests that it can provide ‘various support’ to Ukraine, but also hints that it cannot help but consider Korea-Russia relations.
In an interview with Reuters, President Yoon said, “When there is a large-scale (Russia) attack on civilians, a massacre that cannot be tolerated by the international community, or a serious violation of the law of war, it can be difficult to insist on humanitarian or financial support. On the same day, a Russian Kremlin spokesperson protested, calling South Korea’s arms support for Ukraine “intervention in the war.” Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian National Security Council, said, “I wonder what they (South Korea) will say when they see that Russia’s newest weapon is in the hands of our partners in North Korea, their closest neighbor. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,” he threatened. At the time, the president’s office said it was an “answer with a premise” and started to evolve.
Analysts say that the background of President Yoon’s adjustment of the level of his remarks in the WP interview reflects concerns that if the confrontation with Russia intensifies, retaliatory measures such as disadvantages to Korean residents and companies in Russia may be taken in the long term. Since President Yoon’s remarks on arms support, the government has been closely monitoring major Russian regions out of concern for damages to Koreans.
However, there are observations that there is a possibility that the government may change its existing policy of “no lethal weapons support” and turn to support weapons to Ukraine, even indirectly. It is known that the U.S., which is pouring aid into Ukraine amid the protracted war, has delivered direct and indirect messages of support to the South Korean government. With the Korea-US summit as an opportunity, there is a possibility that it will send a message that it is firmly in close contact with the United States by responding more actively than before to the issue of military aid to Ukraine, which is the biggest concern of the United States in the field of foreign affairs and security. Earlier, a high-ranking official in the presidential office left open the possibility of arms support again, saying, “There is no legal provision in domestic law that prohibits arms support to belligerent countries.” A government official also said in a phone call with The Dong-A Ilbo, “The remarks on conditional arms support did not come out of nowhere.”
The leaders of South Korea and the U.S. are expected to discuss support for Ukraine and measures to deter Russian aggression at the meeting. It is a matter of interest whether there will be a more advanced expression than the phrase “to unite with the international community and oppose Russia’s further unilateral attack on Ukraine,” which was stated in the joint statement from the Korea-US summit in May last year.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.