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The victory of Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential election is prompting South Korea to reassess the possibility of directly supplying weapons to Ukraine, although no final decision has been made, according to Bloomberg.
An anonymous South Korean official stated that President Yoon Suk-yeol’s government is now forced to consider Trump’s stance on Ukraine to determine if it should alter its current policy of withholding lethal aid to Kyiv.
Another official noted that Seoul is also evaluating how Trump’s approach to the war might influence support for Ukraine from other nations. In response, President Yoon’s office mentioned that the government is analyzing possible scenarios regarding military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, especially with Pyongyang’s deployment of troops. “We will closely coordinate our actions with our allies and partners in this process,” the office stated.
Providing lethal aid to Kyiv would be a strong signal of support for Ukraine and could benefit South Korean businesses in potential post-war reconstruction efforts. President Zelenskyy is preparing to send an envoy to Seoul to formally request military assistance and encourage a shift in South Korea’s position. South Korea has large stockpiles of 155mm artillery shells, which are actively used by Ukraine.
Officials in Seoul have indicated they might consider direct arms shipments if North Korea gains technology that could enhance its weapons of mass destruction capabilities. Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that he may consider providing Kim Jong-un with advanced precision weaponry in response to Western military support for Ukraine.
Read also: Trump set to appoint special envoy for peace talks on Ukraine – media reports
