On Thursday, President Yoon Suk Yeol stated that South Korea would not rule out military support for Ukraine.
In a morning briefing at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Yoon stated, “We will adjust the type of support based on North Korea’s level of involvement,” and added that defensive weapons would be prioritized if South Korea were to provide military support.
Addressing concerns about potential North Korean troop deployment to Ukraine, President Yoon explained, “They are not openly identifying themselves as North Koreans but are instead entering as disguised mercenaries. This raises significant concerns about the potential transfer of sensitive military technology from Russia that could critically threaten our national security.”
He also pointed out, “While we have gained real combat experience from peacekeeping operations and the Iraq War, North Korea has never had such experience. The war in Ukraine could become their first experience in real warfare.”
Yoon further noted that “since North Korean special forces personnel are highly trained, gaining experience in modern warfare over time could pose a serious threat to our security.” He concluded, “We will shift our support approach in stages, moving beyond our previous focus on humanitarian and peace-based support, depending on the extent of North Korean involvement.”