South Korea to reconsider providing weapons to Ukraine

Reuters

Updated 20 June 2024 at 8:03 pm·1-min read

SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea will review the possibility of supplying weapons to Ukraine, a presidential official said on Thursday, after the leaders of North Korea and Russia signed a pact pledging mutual defence in the event of war.

South Korean National Security Advisor Chang Ho-jin made the remarks in a briefing to reporters, and said Seoul would resolutely respond together with the international community to any act that threatens its security.

South Korea has provided non-lethal aid to Ukraine, including mine clearance equipment, but so far has resisted Kyiv's requests for weapons.

In an official statement released on Thursday, Seoul also condemned the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement signed by the leaders of North Korea and Russia this week, saying it violates United Nations sanctions.

"The government clearly emphasizes that any cooperation that directly or indirectly helps North Korea increase its military power is a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and is subject to monitoring and sanctions by the international community," the presidential office said in a statement, adding that such violation would worsen Seoul's relations with Moscow.

North Korea and Russia revived an agreement made during the Cold War era when their leaders met in Pyongyang this week, and agreed to provide military assistance if they are ever attacked.

(Reporting by Cynthia Kim; Editing by Tomasz Janowski and Stephen Coates)

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