Ukraine renews call for lethal aid from Korea

Rescuers search for survivors in the rubble next to a damaged residential building in Uman, south of Kyiv, April 28, after Russian missile strikes targeted several Ukrainian cities overnight. AP-Yonhap

New calls follow Yoon's remark on Seoul's potential expanded support

By Lee Hyo-jin

Ukraine is renewing calls for Korea to extend its provision of aid to include lethal weaponry to counter Russian attacks after President Yoon Suk Yeol, in a recent interview, opened the possibility of such aid to Kyiv under certain conditions.

Ambassador to Korea Dmitry Ponomarenko shared photos of ruined apartment buildings on his Twitter account, April 28, after the Russian forces launched a missile attack on a residential block in the city of Uman, Cherkasy region. A barrage of long-range cruise missile strikes on the residential building killed at least 25 people ― including four children ― and injured dozens more, according to Ukrainian officials.

“Isn't this the very example of 'large-scale attack on civilians' the Korean leader had mentioned earlier?” Ponomarenko wrote, noting that the Russian troops fired over 20 missiles in the deadly attack.

The envoy was referring to Yoon's remarks made during an interview with Reuters, April 19, where he said that Korea may consider providing weapons aid to Ukraine “if there is a situation the international community cannot condone such as any large-scale attack on civilians, massacres or a serious violation of the laws of war.”

The gesture of potential arms support signaled a possible departure from the Korean government's current policy of offering only humanitarian and economic assistance to the war-torn nation.

Considering that Yoon's remarks came just a week ahead of a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden held in Washington on April 26 (local time), speculations mounted that the two allies may discuss the possibility of Korea providing lethal weapons to Kyiv.

Shaken residents stand beside a cordoned-off area at a heavily damaged residential building hit by a Russian missile assault in the town of Uman, Cherkasy region, Ukraine, April 28. Reuters-Yonhap

However, during his visit to Washington, Yoon toned down his rhetoric on possible weapons aid to Ukraine.

While speaking to American media during his visit, the president said his administration would supply some lethal weapons if the situation on the battlefront changed. However, he did not elaborate on what level of attacks would prompt the government to do so.

In his speech given at Harvard University on Friday, Yoon strongly condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine, calling it “a violation of international law.” During the following question and answer session, Yoon said his country is considering “various options” of assistance to Ukraine, without directly mentioning the provision of lethal weaponry.

Following Yoon's summit with Biden, a senior official at the Korean presidential office said the provision of military aid to Ukraine was not included in the summit agenda, noting that the two leaders discussed the Ukraine issue “very briefly.”

The Korean government has so far maintained a policy of not providing any lethal weapons to Ukraine, mindful of damaging relations with Moscow.

Immediately after Yoon's initial mention of possible weapons aid, the Kremlin responded fiercely, warning that it would supply North Korea with advanced weapons if South Korea provided military assistance to Ukraine.

The idea also drew flak from some Korean nationals living in Russia, who feared that the Korean government's direct involvement in the war would negatively impact bilateral ties with Russia.

“The Korean government should clarify its position that it will not provide lethal weapons to Ukraine in any situation,” read a statement issued by a coalition of Korean residents in Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries.