South Korea announced on Thursday a potential shift in its policy towards supplying arms to Ukraine, prompted by a recent defense pact between Russia and North Korea agreeing to defend each other in the event of war.
A senior South Korean presidential official made this statement just hours after North Korea's state media detailed the pact. Analysts suggest this agreement could signify the closest ties between Moscow and Pyongyang since the Cold War era. This development occurs as both Russia and North Korea face heightened confrontations with Western nations.
The agreement, as reported by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency, mandates mutual military and other support if either nation is invaded and enters a state of war. Such assistance must adhere to both countries' laws and Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which acknowledges a member state's right to self-defense.
The pact was signed by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a summit on Wednesday in Pyongyang. The leaders characterized it as a significant enhancement of their bilateral relationship, encompassing security, trade, investment, as well as cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
In response, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's office issued a statement condemning the agreement, labeling it a threat to South Korea's security and a breach of U.N. Security Council resolutions. The statement also warned of potential negative impacts on Seoul's relations with Moscow.
South Korea's National Security Adviser, Chang Ho-jin, indicated that the nation would reconsider providing arms to Ukraine to aid its defense against the Russian invasion.
South Korea, which has emerged as a notable arms exporter and maintains a highly equipped military supported by the United States, has offered humanitarian aid and joined U.S.-led economic sanctions against Russia. However, it has refrained from supplying weapons to Ukraine, maintaining a policy against directly arming nations engaged in active conflicts.
During the summit, Kim Jong Un referred to the agreement as their “strongest-ever treaty,” emphasizing a “fiery friendship” between the two countries and pledging full support for Russia's military efforts in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin lauded the agreement as a “breakthrough document,” highlighting their mutual aspirations to elevate their bilateral relations to a new level.
Seoul's contemplation of arming Ukraine marks a notable departure from its previous stance. Should South Korea decide to proceed, it would not only bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities but also signal a firm stand against the growing Russia-North Korea axis.
