Yoon signals flexibility in no-weapons policy for Ukraine

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday suggested possible flexibility in the country's longstanding policy of withholding lethal weapons aid to Ukraine, framing it as part of a phased counterstrategy in response to North Korea’s dispatch of troops to Russia.

Yoon's comment came after South Korea's presidential office confirmed Tuesday that, depending on how the battlefield situation in Ukraine unfolds, Seoul will first consider providing defensive weapons, with the option of later supplying offensive weapons if necessary.

"We have consistently provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine. However, if North Korea dispatches special forces to Ukraine in accordance with its cooperation with Russia, we will consider providing support to Ukraine in phases and take necessary measures to ensure the security of the Korean Peninsula," Yoon said during a joint news conference following his summit with Polish President Andrzej Duda.

"As a fundamental principle, we have upheld the policy of not directly supplying lethal weapons, but even in this area, we may reconsider our stance more flexibly depending on whether or not the North Korean military is active (on the battlefield)."

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Yoon administration has maintained that providing lethal weapons to Ukraine is difficult due to the security situation on the Korean Peninsula.

However, the Yoon administration is now reevaluating this stance after South Korea's intelligence agency confirmed on Oct. 18 that North Korean special forces had been dispatched to Russia for assimilation training ahead of their involvement in the Ukraine war, with a second batch expected soon. The US and NATO on Wednesday acknowledged the presence of North Korean troops in Russia but withheld judgment on their mission or combat role.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul defended the Yoon administration’s signal to potentially provide lethal weapons, stating that this move "demonstrates its firm stance and sends the message that all options are on the table, contingent on Russia's actions," during a National Assembly audit on Thursday.

"In the current situation, I believe it is a necessary measure to express a firm stance on taking strong actions and demonstrate the will to respond decisively, in order to urge a withdrawal and prevent further troop deployments," Cho said when asked whether merely announcing considering plans to provide lethal weapons could be interpreted as South Korea’s participation in the Russia-Ukraine war.

The National Assembly audit however exposed the divide between lawmakers from the People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea over whether South Korea should bolster its military support for Ukraine, particularly in response to North Korea's troop deployment to Russia.

"I find it hard to agree with the notion that we have no vested interest in this matter. How can one say we have no stake when North Korea is aiding Russia? I don’t think that’s the case," Cho told lawmakers. “These actions are unlikely to come without something in return, and ultimately, they will pose a threat to our national security. We cannot afford to sit idly by in such a situation.”

Cho however dismissed reports suggesting the Yoon administration is considering deploying South Korean military personnel to monitor North Korean troops in Ukraine, stating, "These reports are not true."

When asked during the audit about the potential expulsion of the Russian ambassador to South Korea, Cho replied, “That will be reviewed within the framework of having all possible options on the table, as I mentioned earlier.”

However, Cho repeatedly declined to specify the Yoon administration’s red line for Russia or whether the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia crosses it. "I don't believe it’s a good strategy to publicly reveal where our red line is," Cho stated, stressing the need for strategic discretion.

Cho also said China was likely sidelined in North Korea's decision to deploy troops to Russia to support its war efforts against Ukraine, implying that Pyongyang acted without seeking Beijing's green light.

Cho disagreed when Rep. Kim Tae-ho of the People Power Party suggested North Korea couldn't have deployed troops to Russia without China's consent.

"I don't believe China approved or was included as a party in the discussions; China was likely excluded from the process," Cho said. "In my opinion, there's a significant gap between what China says publicly and what it internally considers."

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Monday said, "China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. We hope that all parties will work for de-escalation and be committed to political settlement," in response to a question about China's position regarding reports of North Korea sending troops to Russia.

Cho further clarified that no discussions have taken place between Seoul and Beijing on North Korean troop dispatch, indicating plans to initiate talks to address the issue.

When Kim asked, "Are you acknowledging the rumors of a strained relationship between North Korea and China?" Cho responded by revealing that "there are many signs and circumstantial evidence."

Cho, however, said, in his view, it "remains difficult to judge how deep and wide the wound is" between the two countries.