In an interview with a conservative Korean newspaper, the Ukrainian president thanked South Korea for its humanitarian aid, but sought to obtain more. A way to advance its interests without forcing the hand of Seoul, which has refused since the start of the war to supply lethal weapons to Kiev, despite pressure from its American ally and several European countries.
From our correspondent in Seoul, Nicholas Rocca
Volodymyr Zelensky’s new request exposes the full ambiguity of the South Korean position. Ukrainian President desperately hope that South Korea provide it with defensive military equipment, including anti-aircraft systems to protect against Russian bombing.
South Korea ambiguous over arms deliveries to kyiv
On the occasion of his first meeting with his South Korean counterpart at the G7, he had already obtained the dispatch of demining vehicles and humanitarian aid to the tune of 230 million dollars. By asserting to the very conservative Chosun Ilbo that an air defense system is not a weapon in itself, but purely defensive equipment, the Ukrainian leader seeks to advance his pawns without rushing Seoul.
Despite its new status as a major arms exporting country, South Korea refuses to offend Moscow by providing lethal assistance to Ukraine. A position that it justifies by its commercial interests with Russia and the supposed influence of the Kremlin on North Korea.
Kyiv Pressure
But in April, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol opened the door to broadening his support. Last week the wall street journal claimed that hundreds of thousands of South Korean munitions bound for Ukraine were transiting through the United States. Information confirmed by no government, but which adds additional pressure on South Korea, pushed from all sides to increase its aid to kyiv.
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