Putin says South Korea sending weapons to Ukraine would be ‘big mistake’, as Seoul criticizes Russia-North Korea defense pact

cnn
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Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that South Korea would be making “a very big mistake” if it decides to supply weapons to Ukraine, a day after signing a mutual defense pact with his fellow autocrat and North Korean leader. Kim Jong Un.

He also said Seoul has “nothing to worry about” regarding the new strategic partnership signed Wednesday by Russia and North Korea, which commits to using all available means to provide immediate military assistance in case the other is attacked. .

“Our military assistance to the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) in accordance with the treaty we signed only arises if aggression is carried out against one of the signatories of this document,” Putin said. “As far as I know, the ROK is not planning aggression against the DPRK, which means there is no need to fear our cooperation in this area.”

The deal, which comes against the backdrop of Putin’s tough war against Ukraine, is the most significant deal signed by Russia and North Korea in decades and is seen as something of a revival of their war-era mutual defense commitment. the Cold War of 1961. It cements the Kim regime’s powerful bond with a world power that wields a veto in the UN Security Council and means Russia now has a defense pact with South Korea’s biggest enemy.

The South Korean government expressed “grave concern” and condemned Russia and North Korea for signing the treaty.

National Security Director Chang Ho-jin called the treaty “a sophistry and absurdity on the part of parties that have abandoned the responsibilities and norms of the international community.”

“The (South Korean) government will resolutely respond with the international community against any action that threatens our security,” Chang said.

Chang emphasized the need to strengthen the extended deterrence power of the South Korea-U.S. alliance. and the South Korea-US-Japan security cooperation system to address North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missiles.

U.S. and South Korean forces conduct regular exercises and training in and around the Korean Peninsula, and the two allies have been working more closely with Japan, including recent exercises involving forces from all three countries.

Chang also said South Korea would review the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine, but also noted that Seoul was willing to wait for the Russian government’s explanation on the results of the meeting between Putin and Kim Jong Un.

Currently, South Korea’s policy is not to provide lethal weapons to Ukraine.

When later asked about those comments, Putin said: “As for the supply of lethal weapons to the combat zone in Ukraine, it would be a very big mistake. I hope this doesn’t happen. If this happens, then we will also make appropriate decisions that probably will not please the current leaders of South Korea.”

Reports from early in the war say that South Korea may have provided 155mm artillery shells to the United States to replace the 155mm shells sent to Ukraine.

A recent report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said South Korea’s stockpile of 105mm howitzers could give Ukraine a major battlefield boost if they were released in kyiv.

“Public reports suggest that South Korea has about 3.4 million 105mm artillery shells,” the CSIS report said.

Ukraine has about 100 105mm artillery pieces, according to the report.

“During the Vietnam War, these lighter howitzers were indispensable in fire bases, given their high road and air mobility. Its light weight and mobility would allow Ukrainian artillery units to quickly relocate after firing, a crucial tactic for survival on the modern battlefield. “These howitzers would also allow Ukrainian battlefield commanders to conduct attacks in rugged terrain against high-value targets,” the CSIS report says.

An official with the US military, which maintains nearly 30,000 troops in South Korea, told CNN that the close ties between Russia and North Korea were concerning.

“These developments should worry any country concerned about maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, respecting UN Security Council resolutions and supporting the people of Ukraine in defending their freedom and independence against the brutal invasion of Russia,” the military officer said.

Earlier on Thursday, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi also expressed serious concern about the deal signed by Russia and North Korea.

The fact that Putin “did not rule out military-technical cooperation with North Korea, which could be a direct violation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, is a point of serious concern from the perspective of its possible impact on the security environment that surrounds our country.” country,” Hayashi said at a news conference.