Seoul is keeping one crucial line unchanged, even as battlefield developments and North Korea’s reported support for Russia intensify pressure from Kyiv.
South Korea does not plan to supply Ukraine with lethal weapons or air defense systems. Seoul said it would continue focusing on humanitarian aid despite calls from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to deepen defense cooperation.
South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that decisions on transferring weapons to other countries are made in accordance with national legislation.
South Korea’s provision of defense equipment to any country has always been carried out in accordance with national legislation. The government has supported Ukraine in various areas, including energy, infrastructure, healthcare, and education, and will continue to consider measures to help Ukraine restore peace and rebuild.
– South Korean diplomat
Seoul’s Position on Military Aid to Ukraine
The South Korean diplomat’s statement came in response to Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s request that Ukraine be provided with critically needed defensive weapons. The Ukrainian side raised the issue amid reports of the possible deployment of additional North Korean troops to Russia.
According to the Ukrainian president, South Korea faces constitutional restrictions on arms supplies, but Kyiv is counting on continued dialogue and cooperation.
South Korea has a legal restriction under its Constitution; that is its choice. But we would like to cooperate and are counting on it. Our diplomats are in contact.
– Volodymyr Zelenskyy
The South Korean diplomat did not confirm Zelenskyy’s statement about diplomatic negotiations on arms supplies. He also declined to confirm reports of an additional deployment of North Korean troops to Russian territory.
Seoul Condemns Military Cooperation Between North Korea and Russia
At the same time, the South Korean representative emphasized that the military partnership between North Korea and Russia poses a direct threat to his country’s security and violates United Nations resolutions.
Our government’s position is that this cooperation must end immediately. We are closely monitoring the issue.
– South Korean diplomat
What Preceded the Statement
On August 10, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia had received additional ballistic missiles from North Korea and planned to deploy between 30,000 and 50,000 North Korean troops on its territory.
On August 6, Reuters, citing Andrii Cherniak, a representative of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, reported that a North Korean missile unit had begun deploying in Russia’s Voronezh region. According to preliminary data, it may have six launchers and 120 ballistic missiles.
Thus, South Korea is ready to continue providing humanitarian and reconstruction support to Ukraine, but for now it is not changing its position on supplying lethal weapons and air defense systems.