By Kim Deok-hyun
SEOUL, March 3 (Yonhap) — Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Friday that South Korea has yet to decide whether or not to send lethal weapons to Ukraine, despite calls from Ukraine to have heavy weapons to support its fight against Russia.
In an interview with CNN’s “Quest Means Business,” Han said South Korea has decided to increase its financial support for Ukraine this year while seeking to support Kyiv with power generation facilities.
When asked if he would consider sending lethal weapons to Ukraine, Han replied, “Not now. I think so.”
“But we are completely in favor of Ukraine, and this year we have decided to increase our support by the amount of 130 million dollars, and we are trying to support them in terms of electricity production capacities. , etc.” said Han.
“Whether we’re going to go into lethal weapons support, we haven’t decided yet,” he said.
North Korea tested a record number of missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles, last year, prompting South Korea and the United States to step up joint military exercises.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo speaks at the government complex in Seoul on March 3, 2023, during a meeting of a government committee to support the country’s preparations for the 25th World Scout Jamboree. The international youth camp, held every four years to facilitate cultural exchange among teenagers from all over the world, will be held in Saemangeum, a reclaimed area located on the west coast of North Jeolla Province, from August 1 to 12, 2023. (Yonhap)
Since President Yoon Suk Yeol’s government came to power last year, Han said South Korea “has put a lot of emphasis on building our deterrence capabilities in the right way, but we let’s not close the dialogue”.
“As long as North Korea refrains from its very strong and ambitious nuclear ambitions, it’s OK for the United States and for (South) Korea to open our dialogue, but so far it’s really a shame that North Korea didn’t respond in a way that was totally, you know, desirable,” Han said.
He also clarified that South Korea would not consider acquiring its own nuclear weapons in the face of growing nuclear threats from the North.
When asked if South Korea would want its own nuclear capability or if the United States is redeploying its nuclear capabilities here, Han replied, “I don’t think that’s the right way to go. We must work with the international community, including our close ally, the United States.
“We will continue to exert strong pressure on North Korea to denuclearize, and we would like to let North Korea know that the development and advancement of nuclear capabilities will not guarantee peace and prosperity in their country. , as well as on the Korean Peninsula and around the world.”
kdh@yna.co.kr
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