The deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, has threatened to arm North Korea with “Russia’s latest weapons” if South Korea sends lethal aid to Ukraine.
The statement came after President Yoon Suk-yeol told Reuters that South Korea may be shifting its stance against arming Ukraine ahead of his state visit to the United States next week. During the exclusive interview, Yoon said that “If there is a situation the international community cannot condone, such as any large-scale attack on civilians, massacre or serious violation of the laws of war, it might be difficult for us to insist only on humanitarian or financial support.”
Medvedev cautions South Korea against weapons supplies to Kiev. "I wonder what the people of that country will say when they see Russia’s latest weapons in the hands of their closest neighbors – our partners in the DPRK?" the politician asked:https://t.co/YodLJaKxFV pic.twitter.com/738RtVC8DQ
— TASS (@tassagency_en) April 19, 2023
“I believe there won’t be limitations to the extent of the support to defend and restore a country that’s been illegally invaded both under international and domestic law,” Yoon added, “However, considering our relationship with the parties engaged in the war and developments in the battlefield, we will take the most appropriate measures.”
Medvedev responded to the interview by posting to his Telegram channel that “There have emerged new enthusiasts eager to help our enemies. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has said that in principle his country is ready to supply the Kiev regime with weapons.”
He then asked “I wonder what the people of that country will say when they see Russia’s latest weapons in the hands of their closest neighbors – our partners in the DPRK?”
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense then responded to Medvedev’s statements by tweeting out “russian authorities threatened South Korea that if it supplied lethal weapons to Ukraine, russia would respond by supplying arms to the DPRK. Today, trains are transporting Korean War-era T-54 tanks from russia to Ukraine, and tomorrow they will transport T-34 tanks to Pyongyang.”
russian authorities threatened South Korea that if it supplied lethal weapons to Ukraine, russia would respond by supplying arms to the DPRK. Today, trains are transporting Korean War-era T-54 tanks from russia to Ukraine, and tomorrow they will transport T-34 tanks to Pyongyang.
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) April 19, 2023
The United States has previously accused North Korea of supplying weapons to Russian forces in a weapons-for-food exchange, however, there is no evidence of North Korean weapon use in Ukraine at this time. North Korea has been a vocal supporter of Russia since the start of the invasion, being the third country (behind Russia and Syria) to recognize the self-proclaimed independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics. There has also been signaling from Russian officials that North Korean laborers would be sent to Ukraine to help rebuild Russian-controlled areas, however, there has been no evidence of this as well yet.
As far as Russia hypothetically supporting North Korea militarily, this would come amid heightened tensions between the country and South Korea, as well as the United States due to increasing joint military exercises. The past several months have seen an increase in North Korean missile test launches and development of missile, nuclear, and surveillance satellite capabilities, which North Korea says is a direct response to US-South Korea military activities. So far South Korea has not committed to arming Ukraine, but such an action would likely see even more tensions with North Korea.
