President Lee Jae-myung pledged comprehensive support worth $100 million to Ukraine on the occasion of his attendance at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit. However, the Korean government, which has maintained a position of humanitarian assistance, made clear that it will not provide lethal weapons to Ukraine going forward.
Wi Sung-lac, the National Security Adviser, said this at a briefing held at the local press center in Ankara, Turkey, on Saturday, addressing the outcomes of the NATO summit attendance. "Through the pledge of comprehensive support worth $100 million to Ukraine, we have shown our commitment to contributing to international peace and security through action," Wi said. "We have steadily supported Ukraine through various channels, including humanitarian assistance, and the $100 million pledge expands our contribution as an extension of that."
He added, "So that this brutal war may end as soon as possible and peaceful daily life can be restored, the Republic of Korea, as a globally responsible power, will continue to lend its strength alongside the international community."
He drew a line at the possibility of providing "lethal weapons." A senior Presidential Office official stressed, "Our position on support for Ukraine remains unchanged from before," adding, "We are in the position of not providing lethal weapons." He continued, "We are preparing various forms of support in several areas other than (lethal weapons), but the specific details of support have not been finalized," and added, "Excluding lethal weapons, we will continue to provide support in other areas."
Meanwhile, President Lee is scheduled to hold bilateral summit talks Sunday with leaders of NATO member states including Norway, the Netherlands and Romania. Wi explained, "As this is on the occasion of the NATO summit, we expect that measures to enhance defense industry cooperation with each country will be a major topic of discussion."
Cooperation is expected to focus on renewable energy and supply chains with Norway, advanced science and technology such as AI and batteries with the Netherlands, and expanding cooperation in nuclear power and infrastructure with Romania.
