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Putin Warns South Korea Against Arming Ukraine

Friday 21 June 2024 - 09:50

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Vladimir Putin has warned South Korea that it would be making "a big mistake" if it arms Ukraine in its conflict against Russia. His comments follow Seoul's consideration of this possibility, prompted by a new pact between Russia and North Korea to assist each other in case of "aggression" against either nation.

Speaking in Vietnam shortly after a visit to Pyongyang, where he signed a mutual defense agreement with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Putin told reporters on Thursday, "Moscow will make decisions that are unlikely to please the current leadership of South Korea if Seoul decides to supply arms to Kyiv."

Putin also cautioned that Moscow is prepared to support Pyongyang with arms if the US and its allies continue supplying weapons to Ukraine. "Those who provide these weapons believe they are not at war with us," Putin remarked. "I stated in Pyongyang that we reserve the right to supply weapons to other regions of the world."

Earlier, Seoul had condemned the Russian-North Korean agreement as a threat to its national security. National Security Adviser Chang Ho-jin indicated that South Korea would reconsider its stance on providing arms to Ukraine. Following Putin's remarks, South Korea's presidential office stated it would consider "various options" regarding arms supply to Ukraine, depending on Russia's approach to the issue. The office also summoned Russian ambassador Georgy Zinoviev to protest the pact, demanding an immediate cessation of military cooperation with Pyongyang.

While South Korea has provided humanitarian aid and military equipment to Ukraine, it has refrained from supplying lethal weapons due to its official policy against arming nations at war. Some in Ukraine hoped that deepening military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang would prompt Seoul to reassess its position. Analysts had speculated that Kyiv would use Putin's visit to Pyongyang to exert pressure.

During the visit, Kim pledged "full support" for Russia's actions in Ukraine. There is increasing evidence that Russia has deployed North Korean missiles in Ukraine. On Friday, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby commented on the Russian-North Korean agreement, stating it should concern any country interested in maintaining regional peace and stability. He noted that the US had warned about the growing defense relationship between the two countries for several months.

Tokyo also expressed serious concern over President Putin's non-exclusion of military technology cooperation with North Korea. Government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi described the agreement as "unacceptable." Analysts have suggested that the treaty could have significant implications globally and regionally. Besides potential North Korean support for Russia, it could lead to Russian involvement in any future conflict on the Korean peninsula.

The Korean peninsula remains tense, with the two Koreas technically at war and maintaining a heavily fortified border. Recent weeks have seen heightened tensions, including a Thursday incident where North Korean troops briefly crossed the border, retreating after South Korea fired warning shots. This incident marked the third such occurrence in less than three weeks. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff reported earlier incidents on June 9th and June 18th, which appeared unintentional.