South Korea announced criteria for lifting aid restrictions on Ukraine

Photo: South Korea made a new statement on aid to Ukraine (Getty Images)

South Korea will not be bound in any way regarding assistance to Ukraine if Russia provides high-precision weapons to North Korea, states the head of the National Security Office of the South Korean President's Administration, Chang Ho-jin.

According to him, Seoul's decision to provide weapons to Ukraine depends on how military cooperation between Russia and North Korea develops.

""I would like to emphasize that it all depends on what Russia will do," Chang said on KBS TV. "Will there be any line remaining for us if Russia gives precision weapons to North Korea," he said.

The official also noted that if Russians want to restore and advance Korean-Russian relations, "the Russian side should think carefully."

Background

Earlier, South Korea stated it would reconsider its position on refraining from supplying weapons to Ukraine after Kremlin head Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, obliging mutual defense and military technology cooperation.

Since then, Putin has warned that supplying weapons to Ukraine by Seoul would be "a very big mistake." Seoul believes that not only South Korea but also Russia should make efforts to improve bilateral relations.