Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
INTERVIEW Ukrainian ambassador urges South Korea to change stance on lethal aid
Ukrainian Ambassador to South Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the Embassy of Ukraine in Seoul, Feb. 25, 2022. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
By Kim Hyun-bin
War in Ukraine enters third year
Ukrainian Ambassador to South Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko has urged South Korea to reassess its stance on supplying lethal weapons to the war-torn country as Russia continues to extensively utilize arms sourced from Iran and North Korea.
“We hope that the South Korean government finds it possible to reconsider its position and allow providing Ukraine with weapons. Highly sophisticated weapons produced in South Korea could be instrumental in changing the situation on the battlefield in our favor,” Ponomarenko said during a written interview with The Korea Times.
“Given the scale of today’s war, we need a vast number of weapons and ammunition. Top priorities include modern aircraft, air defense, artillery ammunition, drones, electronic warfare and armored vehicles.”
Seoul has maintained its position of providing non-lethal, humanitarian aid to Ukraine due to a possible issue in its diplomatic ties with Russia.
Nonetheless, he expressed gratitude for Korea's assistance in providing non-lethal aid.
“We are very grateful to the Republic of Korea and its people for their support and solidarity with Ukraine. All the medicines and medical equipment, computers, ambulances, pickup trucks, protective gear, generators, mini excavators, demining equipment, fire trucks provided by the South Korean government and non-governmental organizations are much needed and deeply appreciated in Ukraine,” he said.
Ponomarenko stressed the war has devastating effects on all spheres of life in Ukraine as Russia spares no effort or means to inflict maximum damage, while utilizing weapons provided by Iran and North Korea.
“Before Russia captures a town or village in Ukraine, it destroys it completely, leaving only ruins. Entire agglomerations in Donetsk region, where hundreds of thousands of people lived, have been wiped out,” he said.
“In the winter months, Russian troops increased the number of massive, combined attacks on Ukrainian territory using Iranian-made attack drones and North Korean missiles of various types, including cruise, air, ballistic and anti-aircraft guided missiles. In 2023, Ukraine overcame 6,000 air alerts.”
He emphasized that while the war commemorates its second anniversary on Saturday, it is merely a chapter in a larger narrative, as the conflict against Russia has persisted for eight years.
"The war itself started in 2014 when Russia occupied the Ukrainian Crimea Peninsula and invaded its eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. Two years ago, Russia’s invasion in Ukraine began," Ponomarenko said. Despite numerous peace talks and cease-fire agreements, the situation escalated dramatically in Feb. 24, 2022, when Russia initiated a full-scale war, shattering hopes for a resolution.
"Our stance is simple. Ukraine did not start a conflict with Russia. It is Russia that began an unjustifiable invasion into our territory in violation of all norms of international law and rules-based order. We will continue fighting to liberate our country from foreign occupation," he added.
Firefighters extinguish a blaze after a Russian attack on a residential neighborhood in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 10. AP-Yonhap
The ambassador pointed out that the sticking point in a possible ceasefire is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s determination to destroy Ukraine, adding that the Kremlin regime will not stop the war until it is defeated on the battlefield.
“When Russia says it is willing to negotiate, it means negotiating Ukraine's capitulation. What Moscow calls ‘peace talks’ are actually ‘occupation talks.’ Russia wants to be able to bite off a portion of Ukrainian territory and then bite off more when the time is right,” the ambassador said.
“No other country wants peace more than Ukraine. But we also know that the path to true and just peace lies through battlefield success and throwing occupiers out of Ukrainian land. Our main objective has been and remains the same from the start of Russian invasion – to liberate our lands from foreign occupation.”
Discussing the profound impact on Ukraine's economy and infrastructure, Ponomarenko highlighted staggering figures, stating, "The devastation caused by Russia is currently estimated at $411 billion. Over 149,000 civilian infrastructure facilities have been damaged or destroyed." He emphasized the toll on civilians, with more than 11,000 lives lost, including 526 children, and nearly 19,000 civilians wounded.
"There are over 6 million internally displaced persons from all over the country officially registered in Ukraine alone," Ponomarenko added, underscoring the psychological trauma inflicted by constant shelling and loss of homes, prompting the launch of a national mental health program called How are you? to provide support.
Looking to the future, Ponomarenko expressed hope for South Korea's involvement in post-war reconstruction efforts believing its extensive experience in the field could play an important role in the restoration of Ukraine.