According to Yonhap News, on August 10 local time, officials from the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that in the future, South Korea will consider options to provide support to Ukraine for peace restoration and post-war reconstruction.
The official also stated that South Korea provides defense supplies to various countries while complying with relevant domestic laws and policies.
The official said that the government has provided assistance to Ukraine in various areas such as energy, infrastructure, health care, and education. In the future, efforts will also be made to develop programs that contribute to restoring peace and promoting reconstruction in Ukraine.
June 30th, South Korean Foreign Minister Zhao Hyun (right) took a photo with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Serhijov who was visiting. Yonhap News Agency
On the previous day (the 9th), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with local media that Ukraine hopes to receive assistance from South Korea regarding air defense systems. Ukraine is ready to cooperate with South Korea in various fields, including unmanned aerial vehicles. Although there are legal restrictions in South Korea, Ukraine still hopes to carry out cooperation with South Korea and is in contact with South Korean diplomats.
According to the ‘Han Eon Daily’, as the stock of interceptor missiles is running out, Ukraine is finding it increasingly difficult to defend against Russian missile attacks.
The South Korean government holds a cautious attitude towards Ukraine's request for air defense assistance, according to the Yonhap News Agency. The opinion is that officials of the South Korean Foreign Ministry expressed this stance which reaffirms the existing stance that South Korea cannot provide weapons aid to Ukraine.
Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the South Korean government has adhered to the principle of not directly supplying lethal weapons. It primarily supports Ukraine through humanitarian and non-military assistance. However, according to South Korean media reports, South Korea sold 100,000 155mm shells to the United States in 2022, and in 2023, it "lent" an additional 500,000 shells. The United States then provided its surplus 155mm shells to Ukraine.
