CNN "South Korea Defense Ministry Rejects Ukraine Weapon Support Request"... Lee Jun-seok "Time to Discuss Support"

Published 12 Apr.2022 19:02(KST)

Ministry of National Defense Limits Support to Lethal Weapons, Provides Only Non-lethal Military Supplies Like Medicines
President Zelensky Appeals for Weapon Support and Russia Sanctions
CNN "Korean Government Refuses Due to Security Situation and Military Preparedness"
Lee Jun-seok "Korean Politicians Are Moving Toward Helping Ukraine"
Attention on Whether Yoon Seok-yeol Government Will Increase Support for Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, is delivering a video speech on the afternoon of the 11th at the National Assembly Library Auditorium in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] CNN reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned the Korean War and requested weapons support from South Korea, but the South Korean Ministry of National Defense declined the request.

In a video speech delivered to the National Assembly on the 11th, President Zelensky appealed for help, saying, "South Korea has various military equipment capable of stopping Russian tanks, ships, and missiles," and urged, "Please help us to stand against Russia." He emphasized, "South Korea experienced a war in the 1950s, and many civilians lost their lives. But South Korea overcame it. At that time, the international community provided a lot of assistance."

On the same day, CNN reported that the South Korean Ministry of National Defense had already expressed its refusal to provide support prior to President Zelensky's speech. CNN stated, "The South Korean government has consistently said it will neither provide lethal weapons nor deploy troops to support Ukraine," and added, "President Zelensky repeatedly appealed for support for Ukraine, referring to the international community's support during the Korean War."

The Ministry of National Defense rejected the request for anti-aircraft weapon support before President Zelensky's speech. Ministry spokesperson Boo Seung-chan said at a regular briefing on the same day regarding inquiries about support for Ukraine, "There was an additional request related to weapons," and "The Ukrainian minister inquired whether it would be possible to support anti-aircraft weapon systems, among other things." He continued, "Minister Suh Wook explained that considering our security situation and the impact on the military's readiness posture, support for lethal weapon systems to Ukraine is limited."

However, the Ministry of National Defense provided non-lethal military supplies such as bulletproof helmets, tents, blankets, personal first aid kits, and medicines to Ukraine last month. It is also known to be reviewing additional humanitarian aid.

Meanwhile, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, who listened to President Zelensky's video speech, said, "The hearts of South Korean politicians have moved significantly toward helping Ukraine," and emphasized, "It is time for the ruling and opposition parties to open their minds and discuss everything from humanitarian aid to larger, more direct support." On the 12th, he posted on his Facebook, "What moved me even more while watching President Zelensky's video speech yesterday was the simultaneous interpreter who translated Ukrainian," and added, "It was heartbreaking to see the interpreter unable to translate President Zelensky's words and choking up after a video of Mariupol, which has suffered the horrors of war, was shown."