Russia has warned that it will send weapons to North Korea if South Korea provides military assistance to Ukraine.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev reacted furiously to South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol’s decision to consider offering Ukraine more than just humanitarian and financial support.
Fox News reported that Medvedev, who currently serves as deputy secretary of the Security Council of Russia, warned South Korea against such a move on his Telegram account.
“I wonder what the inhabitants of this country will say when they see the latest samples of Russian weapons from their closest neighbours, our partners from the [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] DPRK?” Medvedev said.
Yoon recently signaled his willingness to support Ukraine beyond its humanitarian and economic assistance.
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He said: “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.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said South Korea’s move was “unfortunate” and accused the Asian country of drawing “more and more” countries directly into the conflict.
South Korea has previously refused to provide weapons to Ukraine due to several Russian companies operating in the country and the tense situation with North Korea.
Moscow has reportedly considered seeking weapons from North Korea to sustain its war effort with White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby revealing that Russia proposed an arms-for-food deal with North Korea.
He said the proposed deal would see Russia receiving over two dozen kinds of weapons and munitions from Pyongyang in return for providing food assistance.
Kirby argued that any arms deal between the two countries would violate resolutions passed by the UN Security Council.
Last year, North Korea voted against a UN resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and urging Moscow to withdraw its troops.
North Korea also supports the Russian narrative that NATO expansion prompted the war in Ukraine.
