Seoul Reveals Potential Weapons Supply to Ukraine

Seoul has revealed the types of weapons it might begin supplying to Ukraine: The level of arms supply to Kyiv will depend on Russia's future stance on North Korea. Seoul hopes that Moscow will refrain from transferring military technologies to Pyongyang, according to Yonhap.

South Korea's volume of arms supply to Ukraine will be determined based on Russia's position concerning the DPRK, reports Yonhap, citing a representative from the presidential office, Yoon Suk-yeol.

"There are various options for arms supply, and our position on the recent developments between Russia and North Korea will depend on how Russia approaches the situation in the future," the official stated.

According to him, the types of weapons under consideration for delivery to Kyiv include 155 mm artillery shells and air defense systems. However, South Korean authorities are maintaining a "strategic ambiguity" on this matter, viewing it as a "diplomatic step" to exert pressure on Moscow to refrain from transferring military technologies to Pyongyang, Yonhap reports.

Previously, Seoul had been supplying non-lethal arms to Kyiv due to other assistance restrictions on wartime countries.

South Korea also intends to summon a senior Russian official in Seoul to protest against the agreement signed with the DPRK, the agency notes. This pertains to a response from Seoul regarding the signing of a strategic partnership agreement during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the DPRK on June 19.

The document also stipulates immediate assistance to each other if Moscow or Pyongyang suffers an attack or finds itself in a war situation. Following the signing of this agreement, South Korean authorities decided to review their position on supplying weapons to Ukraine.

In response, Putin stated that Seoul "does not need to worry." At the same time, he warned that supplying deadly weapons to Ukraine would be a "major mistake." Moscow condemns any Western assistance to Kyiv, arguing that it only prolongs the conflict and does not change its outcome. The Kremlin emphasized that Russia "cannot be defeated on the battlefield."