South Korea sends artillery shells to Ukraine via US after reaching ‘secret’ agreement
- The move came after Seoul’s initial resistance toward arming Kyiv
- President Yoon in April said it might be difficult for his government to adhere to only providing humanitarian help if Ukraine faced a large-scale civilian attack
The Journal, citing unnamed sources, said Seoul had reached a “confidential arrangement” with Washington to transfer the shells to the US to be delivered to Ukraine, after the Biden administration asked its Asian ally last year for artillery support.
“There have been various discussions and requests, and our government will take appropriate measures while comprehensively reviewing the war and humanitarian situation in Ukraine,” Jeon told a briefing.
Russian aggression inexcusable but West not ‘bystanders’: Singapore minister
The Pentagon and Yoon’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
When asked on Wednesday about the potential to supply ammunition to Ukraine, South Korea’s national security adviser, Cho Tae-yong, told parliament that officials will make a decision after monitoring developments.
Cho said there were no plans to send shells either directly or via Poland, but did not elaborate on cooperation with the US.
The Journal report said Seoul officials “got cold feet” following media reports on the discussions late last year, but a “breakthrough” was made after Yoon visited Washington last month for a summit with President Joe Biden.