Advertisement
Russia-North Korea military pact prompts Seoul to threaten arms to Ukraine
- Seoul sending lethal aid to Ukraine in retaliation for Moscow arming Pyongyang with precision weapons could trigger seismic strategic shifts
3-MIN READ3-MIN
6
Russia’s military treaty with North Korea has drawn a stern warning from South Korea: send advanced weapons to Pyongyang, and Seoul may retaliate by arming Ukraine.
Experts say such moves would prompt significant strategic shifts. Seoul’s threatened provision of lethal aid to Ukraine could help Kyiv achieve a “breakthrough” in its ongoing conflict with Russia. Conversely, Moscow’s threats to arm North Korea could escalate regional tensions and provoke a military response from the South and its allies.
South Korean national security adviser Chang Ho-jin issued a fresh warning to Russia on Sunday against crossing a “red line” by supplying “high-precision weapons” to North Korea.
Advertisement
Seoul and Moscow have been exchanging warnings since Wednesday’s summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On Thursday, Chang said South Korea would “reconsider” its policy of withholding lethal aid to any country at war, including Ukraine, after Russia and North Korea signed the treaty last week calling for mutual military assistance if either faces aggression.
Putin brushed off Seoul’s response, saying on Thursday “South Korea has nothing to worry about”.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x