US Wiretapping Scandal... South Korea's Ukraine Weapon Support Issue Surfaces

NYT "Discussion on South Korea's Weapon Support to Ukraine" Report
Polish Prime Minister: "US Should Intervene in South Korea's Artillery Shell Support to Ukraine"
Russian Backlash Expected if Ukraine Weapon Support Occurs... South Korea 'Embarrassed'

It has been reported that a confidential document, believed to have been created by a U.S. intelligence agency through eavesdropping on the South Korean presidential office, contains discussions about the South Korean government's support for weapons to Ukraine.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki argued that U.S. President Joe Biden should intervene to enable South Korea to provide artillery shells to Ukraine. The eavesdropping scandal appears to have brought the issue of South Korea's weapons support for Ukraine to the forefront.

According to the New York Times on the 12th (local time), Prime Minister Morawiecki said, "The Russian military possesses far more artillery shells than the Ukrainian forces and fires many more shells on the battlefield every month," adding, "South Korea holds a large stockpile of shells, so it could be helpful (to Ukraine)."

He insisted, "However, to finalize the deal (support), it is necessary for President Biden to be more directly involved to assure South Korea that the U.S. will provide support against aggressive responses from China or Russia."

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki held a press conference on the 11th (local time) in the Vice President's office in Washington, DC, ahead of their meeting. They are expected to discuss ways to support Ukraine during the talks. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

Poland is a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) member country that regards Russia as its main adversary and shares a border of about 600 km with Ukraine, making it a frontline NATO state. Due to its geopolitical location, Poland has historically faced frequent invasions by foreign powers, especially suffering multiple times from Russian aggression and interference.

From Poland's perspective, Russia's invasion of Ukraine inevitably poses a greater threat. There are concerns that Poland could be the next target after Ukraine. Consequently, Poland has been actively supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, recently deciding to provide 14 of its 'MIG-29' fighter jets to Ukraine, the first NATO member to do so. Earlier, in July last year, Poland purchased Korean weapons worth about 20 trillion won, exceeding its 2022 defense budget of $14.5 billion (approximately 19 trillion won).

Poland has also taken steps to address Ukraine's ammunition shortages due to the prolonged war. The European Union (EU) proposed a plan to purchase artillery shells from non-EU countries, naming South Korea as a target country.

On the 23rd of last month, Prime Minister Morawiecki, after the first day of the EU summit held in Brussels, Belgium, met with reporters and said, "We plan to use the European Peace Facility (EPF) to jointly purchase ammunition from countries with large stockpiles, but there are very few such countries in Europe." He added, "For example, according to experts, South Korea holds a very large amount of artillery shells and rockets, and we will attempt to purchase ammunition from there (South Korea)."

Prime Minister Morawiecki's remarks that President Biden should step in to support South Korea's weapons aid to Ukraine seem to be an extension of this argument. Especially, with recent reports of U.S. intelligence agencies eavesdropping on allied countries and mentioning South Korea's weapons support issue for Ukraine, it appears to be an effort to pressure South Korea.

On the 8th, the New York Times reported on the U.S. intelligence eavesdropping allegations, stating that discussions took place within the South Korean government about whether to provide artillery shells for use in the Ukraine war to the U.S.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a congratulatory speech at the 2023 Korean Church Easter Joint Service held at Yeongnak Church in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 9th. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Photo by Yonhap News.

The South Korean government maintains a position that only economic and humanitarian support is possible for Ukraine. This is because if South Korea provides lethal weapons to Ukraine, Russia is likely to retaliate.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has already warned that if South Korea supplies weapons to Ukraine, relations between South Korea and Russia will collapse. At the Valdai Club meeting in October last year, he said, "We have learned that South Korea has decided to provide weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. This will destroy our relationship."

He also hinted at the possibility of military cooperation with North Korea. President Putin said, "If we resume cooperation with North Korea in that field (military), how will South Korea react? I want you to pay attention to this point."

President Yoon Suk-yeol rebutted President Putin's remarks, stating, "We have never provided lethal weapons." On October 28 last year, President Yoon said, "We have provided humanitarian and peaceful support to Ukraine in solidarity with the international community," adding, "I want it to be understood that we are trying to maintain peaceful and good relations with all countries in the world, including Russia."

He emphasized, "Although we have not supplied lethal weapons, this is ultimately a matter of our sovereignty."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.