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| Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gives a speech virtually to the National Assembly in Seoul, April 11. Korea Times photo |
'Lack of cause' for Russian retaliation
By Kang Seung-woo
South Korea, sticking to a stance of sending only non-lethal supplies to Ukraine, has found itself in a tricky situation over a new request to export artillery ammunition to Canada, after the North American country sent its own shells to the war-torn Eastern European country.
The South Korean government has maintained that there are limits on sending lethal weapons to Ukraine due to possible fallout in diplomatic ties with Russia, and there is speculation that a possible ammunition shipment from Seoul to Ottawa could be seen by Moscow as indirect support from South Korea for Ukraine.
According to the Ministry of National Defense, the Canadian government has inquired if Seoul could export tens of thousands of 155-millimeter artillery shells to Ottawa due to an ammo shortage there. In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which began in February, Canada has sent its own ammunition to Ukraine.
"It is true that Canada has asked if we can export artillery shells," deputy ministry spokesman Army Col. Moon Hong-sik said during a regular press briefing.
"However, there has been no official process or progress made in this regard yet," he continued.
Moon refused to elaborate on whether other countries have also requested ammo exports for similar reasons.
The Ukrainian government, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has asked the South Korean government to supply military equipment to help the country's fight against Russian aggression.
However, the defense ministry has said that there are limits to providing lethal weapons to Ukraine, citing the security situation and the potential impact on the military's readiness posture.
Instead, South Korea has focused on providing largely humanitarian support, with it set to ship a third batch of non-lethal aid, comprised of gas masks and mask canisters that are worth 1.5 billion won ($1.18 million), by next month.
Russia has designated South Korea as an "unfriendly" nation, citing the latter's participation in international sanctions against Russia, including export controls and Moscow's removal from the SWIFT network, through which trillions of dollars change hands in cross-border payments.
"Along with the designation of South Korea as an unfriendly country, Russia will stand up for North Korea against the international community's punishment for its provocations such as ballistic missile and nuclear tests," said Park Won-gon, a professor of North Korean studies at Ewha Womans University.
In fact, Russia and China vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution last week that proposed tougher sanctions on North Korea following its ballistic missile launches.
However, there is also speculation that possible retaliation from Russia toward South Korea would be limited.
"So far, there have been no retaliatory actions against countries that have sent military equipment to Ukraine even though Russia has strongly condemned them," a diplomatic source said.
"Due to possible fallout, including exits of multinational companies operating there, the Russian government also seems to remain very cautious before taking any action," the source continued.
A defense ministry official also said there was little room for Russia to object.
"As Canada wants to import ammunition for its stockpiles, it is not that we are supplying weapons to Ukraine, leaving little chance for Russia's resistance," the official said.
"There is a lack of cause for retaliation against South Korea," the official said.
