Presidential Office: "Yoon's Ukraine Remarks Are Common Sense... Our Actions Depend on Russia"

Senior Official: "Russia Comments on Events That Have Not Occurred"
Joining Ukraine's Will to Defend Freedom While Considering Han-Ro Relations
Will Actively Engage in Dialogue and Cooperation if International Rules Are Respected

The Presidential Office stated on the 20th that President Yoon Suk-yeol's remarks, which left open the possibility of military support for Ukraine, were "common-sense and principled answers" in response to backlash from the Russian government regarding his foreign media interview. While continuing humanitarian and financial support policies for Ukraine, the implication is that military support could be provided if mass civilian massacres that would outrage the international community occur.

A senior official from the Presidential Office told reporters at the Yongsan Presidential Office that morning, "In a way, the Russian authorities commented on something that has not happened, but we can think inversely that what we will do in the future depends on Russia."

The senior official said, "First, there is no change in the support South Korea has been providing to Ukraine. We are actively providing humanitarian and financial support this year compared to last year, and if necessary, we can discuss reconstruction for the Ukrainian people."

He emphasized that there was no improper statement based on the fact that Korean law does not have provisions prohibiting military support to third countries in distress. The official pointed out, "There is no legal provision in our domestic law that bans weapons support to external belligerent countries. Neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' directives nor any other regulations prohibit military support to third countries in difficulty."

He added, "The reason we do not autonomously take such actions is to simultaneously fulfill the need to actively participate in the international community's efforts to protect the freedom of the Ukrainian people while managing Korea-Russia relations stably."

Regarding the backlash from Russia and China, he said, "South Korea and China, based on mutual respect and reciprocity principles, will actively expand necessary dialogue and cooperation as long as the agreed norms are observed and international rules are respected, even if political systems differ. Russia is no exception."

The official also remarked, "During the Korean War, when South Korea was almost wiped out, the free world came to protect Korea's freedom. If Ukraine is currently in such a situation, shouldn't we look at Ukraine now with a grateful heart, recalling how Korea stood at the center of the world with the help of the international community?"

Earlier, the Russian Presidential Office warned that President Yoon's interview implied involvement in the war by supporting weapons to Ukraine. The Russian Foreign Ministry also stated on the 20th (local time), "Any provision of weapons to Ukraine will be regarded as anti-Russian hostile acts," and said it would affect Russia's stance on the situation around the Korean Peninsula.

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