Yoon "Considering Military Support to Ukraine if Large-Scale Civilian Attacks Occur" (Summary)

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 19th that South Korea would consider providing military support if large-scale attacks on civilians occur in Ukraine, which is currently at war due to the Russian invasion. This marks a shift from the government's previous stance of not supplying lethal weapons, effectively indicating a willingness to provide arms.

According to the Blue House, ahead of his upcoming state visit to the United States next week, President Yoon said in an interview with Reuters released on the 19th, "I believe there are no limits to the scope of support to defend and restore a country illegally invaded under international and domestic law."

In particular, President Yoon stated, "If there are situations that the international community cannot tolerate, such as large-scale attacks on civilians, massacres, or serious violations of the laws of war, it may become difficult for us to insist on only humanitarian or financial support." Until now, South Korea has refused to provide weapons support alongside Ukraine and the West, including the United States, and has only offered humanitarian aid.

He added, "Considering the various relations between the warring parties and our country, as well as the progress of the war, it is simply about taking appropriate measures."

The Blue House announced on the 19th that President Yoon Suk-yeol mentioned the Ukraine war issue, North Korea's nuclear issue, and the Taiwan issue in an interview with Reuters on the 18th.
[Photo by the Blue House]

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Regarding inter-Korean relations, President Yoon said, "I will not hold a summit with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un just for show," but added, "However, the door for dialogue to promote peace remains open."

He expressed the need for trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan to respond to the North Korean nuclear threat. President Yoon explained, "Extended deterrence has been extensively discussed between South Korea and the United States, so setting this up and having Japan participate should not be a big problem. At the same time, since the progress between South Korea and the U.S. is already advanced, I think it would be more efficient to first establish the system between South Korea and the U.S.."

He also mentioned that South Korea is developing ultra-high-performance weapons to counter North Korean threats. Regarding this, President Yoon said, "We are expanding surveillance and reconnaissance assets, and intelligence analysis has emerged as a very important task. While extended deterrence is in place, we are developing and preparing ultra-high-performance, high-power weapons."

He further emphasized, "If a war involving nuclear weapons between the two Koreas breaks out, it would not only be a problem for South and North Korea but would likely turn the entire Northeast Asia region to ashes. We must prevent that."

On the cross-strait conflict between China and Taiwan and the related international tensions, he stressed, "I am absolutely opposed to changing the status quo of the Taiwan Strait by force." President Yoon stated, "The Taiwan issue is not simply a matter between China and Taiwan; like the inter-Korean issue, it must be viewed as a global issue beyond the region."

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