US Congressional Research Service Cites Leaked Document: "South Korea Likely to Support Ukraine"

Amid President Yoon Suk-yeol's upcoming state visit to the United States, the U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS) cited leaked Ministry of Defense documents to mention the possibility of South Korea supporting Ukraine.

In an updated "South Korea Report" on the 22nd (local time), the CRS stated, "Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, South Korea joined sanctions against Russia and provided $200 million in humanitarian aid," adding, "President Yoon was the first South Korean leader to attend the 2022 NATO summit, and Poland signed a $3 billion contract with South Korea to replace military equipment sent to Ukraine."

The report also noted, "There was a recent leak of confidential Ministry of Defense documents, which may include South Korea's considerations regarding support for Ukraine," and added, "South Korean government officials reportedly said that some of the document contents were manipulated."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier this month, U.S. authorities arrested Air National Guard Airman Jack Teixeira on charges of leaking confidential Department of Defense documents in a Discord chat room he operated.

The documents included conversations among senior National Security Office officials deliberating on providing artillery shells to Ukraine, which sparked controversy over U.S. surveillance of allies including South Korea.

President Yoon, who will make a state visit to the U.S. starting on the 24th, recently stated regarding support for Ukraine, "When large-scale attacks on civilians, mass atrocities that the international community cannot tolerate, or serious violations of the laws of war occur, it may be difficult to insist solely on humanitarian or financial aid."

The report continued, "Since the launch of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, South Korea has been pursuing a more proactive partnership in the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy," adding, "While strengthening the South Korea-U.S. alliance, South Korea's approach to China is less confrontational than that of the U.S. Due to the electric vehicle subsidy provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Korean companies have expressed opposition, deepening economic tensions between South Korea and the U.S."

Regarding South Korea-Japan relations, the report stated, "At the urging of the Biden administration, South Korea and Japan took measures to improve relations in 2022-2023, and the South Korean government removed key points of conflict through a forced labor resolution in March," evaluating, "Relations have improved, but mutual distrust over historical issues remains a source of tension."

On North Korea policy, it explained, "While previous administrations emphasized diplomatic engagement with North Korea, the Yoon administration and the Biden administration are focusing on deterrence," and added, "They are discussing extended deterrence, including the U.S. nuclear umbrella, and expanding the scope of joint military exercises."

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