President Yoon Seok-yeol stated that when supporting Ukraine, we have no choice but to consider a number of direct and indirect relations between our country and the warring parties.

President Yun made the announcement in an interview with The Washington Post (WP) ahead of his state visit to the United States, WP reported today (24).

President Yun premised that "Ukraine has been invaded illegally and it is appropriate to provide a diverse range of assistance," adding, "However, how and what to provide assistance must take into account the various direct and indirect relations between our country and the warring parties."

Earlier, in an interview with Reuters published on 19 October, President Yun said, "When there is a large-scale attack on civilians, a genocide that cannot be tolerated by the international community, or an issue that seriously violates the laws of war, it may be difficult to insist on humanitarian aid or financial assistance."

President Yun's remarks were interpreted as suggesting that the ROK Government may change its existing policy of "not supporting lethal weapons," and Russia protested.

The West, including the United States, has asked South Korea to provide weapons to Ukraine, but our government has refused to export weapons to belligerent countries, citing its domestic policy of not exporting weapons to belligerent countries.

Regarding the U.S.-ROK relationship, President Yun called it "the most successful alliance in history" and "an alliance based on values above all else."