Bloomberg: South Korea contemplating sending arms to Ukraine
South Korean officials have communicated their concerns regarding the potential provision of weapons to Ukraine to Bloomberg. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election is influencing South Korea’s considerations regarding the potential supply of weapons to Ukraine, according to a report by Bloomberg on Thursday, which cited officials in Seoul.
Members of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s administration have indicated that the nation might reconsider its longstanding policy of refraining from providing arms to Kiev, especially after recent statements concerning North Korea deploying thousands of troops to Russia.
This week, a bilateral treaty between Moscow and Pyongyang was formalized, encompassing terms for military assistance against foreign threats. Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously remarked that the fulfillment of obligations between the two countries is a private matter.
Seoul is reassessing its position in light of Trump’s victory, anticipating a shift in Washington's handling of the Ukraine situation under his leadership. Bloomberg reported that, according to two South Korean officials who requested anonymity, the likelihood of South Korea supplying arms has diminished. The presidential office has commented on its intent to “closely coordinate with our allies and partners” in its policy decisions.
“It would be pretty awkward for South Korea, not even a member of NATO, to step in at this point if Trump moves into the White House and wants to pull out from the conflict,” stated Kim Jung, a political science professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, regarding the potential implications.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has argued that providing arms to Kiev would be advantageous for South Korea. He suggested in an interview with South Korean national broadcaster KBS in late October that such support would allow Seoul to assess its weaponry's effectiveness against North Korean forces in real combat scenarios. Zelensky further mentioned that South Korea would need allies in the event of an assault by the North.
The Pentagon has projected that as many as 12,000 North Korean soldiers have been dispatched to Russia for training and possible deployment against Ukrainian troops in the Kursk Region. In August, Ukraine executed an incursion into this Russian area.
As of Thursday, the Russian military reported that Ukrainian casualties in this operation have surpassed 32,500.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
Members of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s administration have indicated that the nation might reconsider its longstanding policy of refraining from providing arms to Kiev, especially after recent statements concerning North Korea deploying thousands of troops to Russia.
This week, a bilateral treaty between Moscow and Pyongyang was formalized, encompassing terms for military assistance against foreign threats. Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously remarked that the fulfillment of obligations between the two countries is a private matter.
Seoul is reassessing its position in light of Trump’s victory, anticipating a shift in Washington's handling of the Ukraine situation under his leadership. Bloomberg reported that, according to two South Korean officials who requested anonymity, the likelihood of South Korea supplying arms has diminished. The presidential office has commented on its intent to “closely coordinate with our allies and partners” in its policy decisions.
“It would be pretty awkward for South Korea, not even a member of NATO, to step in at this point if Trump moves into the White House and wants to pull out from the conflict,” stated Kim Jung, a political science professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, regarding the potential implications.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has argued that providing arms to Kiev would be advantageous for South Korea. He suggested in an interview with South Korean national broadcaster KBS in late October that such support would allow Seoul to assess its weaponry's effectiveness against North Korean forces in real combat scenarios. Zelensky further mentioned that South Korea would need allies in the event of an assault by the North.
The Pentagon has projected that as many as 12,000 North Korean soldiers have been dispatched to Russia for training and possible deployment against Ukrainian troops in the Kursk Region. In August, Ukraine executed an incursion into this Russian area.
As of Thursday, the Russian military reported that Ukrainian casualties in this operation have surpassed 32,500.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
