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Russian President Vladimir Putin recently warned that relations between Korea and Russia would collapse if South Korea supplied Ukraine with weapons, which has become a new factor between the two countries.
In the midst of this, the United States rather revealed the circumstances under which North Korea supplied Russia with large numbers of artillery shells, and after the South Korean government expressed its concerns, a subtle wave arose.
Putin: ‘It’s not true, it’s a question of sovereignty’
Answering questions on the North Korean nuclear issue at a meeting of Russian experts from various countries on 27 last month, Putin said: “We have learned that South Korea has decided to supply arms and ammunition to Ukraine. This will destroy Korea.” Russia relations. ” he said.
President Yoon Seok-yeol denied this, saying, “We have not provided lethal weapons or anything like that to the[Ucraina]”, adding:” However, it is a matter of our sovereignty. “
Arms exports to Eastern Europe, including Poland, may have flowed into Ukraine, but the government has also drawn a line on this possibility.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave a video speech in the auditorium of the National Assembly Library in Yeouido, Seoul, in April. Reporter Yoon Chang won
The administration of the defense procurement program responded to a related question from the Jeong Seong-ho Democratic Party legislature’s office that the “ban on sales to third countries” has been applied to all recent defense export contracts. .
In normal defense exports, the importing country swears not to resell or donate to a third country. Third party transfers are only permitted with the consent of the exporting country.
For example, when Korea recently sold the K2 tank to Poland, it had to obtain prior approval from eight countries, including Germany and the United States, which are the original manufacturers of key parts such as engines and optical equipment. In this case, Korea as an importing country has obtained the consent of the exporting countries.
Exports to Poland are also subject to a “ban on transfers to third countries” … Russia appears to be taking precautions
According to the government’s explanation, Putin’s claims are completely unfounded. A Czech Internet newspaper also reported a similar report in September, but it was not confirmed. At least, there is no revealed reality.
Therefore, President Putin’s remarks are interpreted either as a simple misunderstanding or as a pre-emptive check on Korea.
Poland has already supplied a significant number of weapons, including around 200 old tanks, to Ukraine, leaving a huge gap in its power.
On the 4th, Hanwha Aerospace Co., Ltd. signed a first implementation contract worth $ 3.55 billion with the Polish Armed Forces Administration to export the 230mm “Chunmu” class multi-launch rocket. The photo shows the signing ceremony of the Chunmu performance contract held on the same day through a video conference. From left on the desk in the center of the screen: Lim Hoon-min, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Poland, Marius Bwashchak, Minister of Defense of Poland and Director General of the Polish Armed Forces Kuptel. Provided by the DAPA
This is the background of the recent “purchase” of Korean weapons. In terms of its ability to produce and supply weapons in a short period of time, Korea is ahead of the United States and Germany.
In any case, it is annoying because the order has changed for Putin, but the continued supply of arms to Ukraine is the same.
A military source said: “If not now, the warning message was sent thinking about the possibility of the future (Ukrainian aid).”
Diplomatic rudeness, but there is no need to exaggerate … ‘Intimidation’ against Korea is an excessive interpretation
Of course, Putin’s warning is clearly diplomatic rudeness, in the sense that it has no clear basis. Korea has been given the opportunity to export the defense industry, but that is unfair treatment.
However, there is no need to overreact. Some even define Putin’s remarks as “threat” or “threat” beyond a level of warning, but this is too much.
Transcribing the remarks from the Kremlin website, “We have learned that South Korea has decided to supply arms and ammunition to Ukraine. This will destroy Korea-Russia relations. If we resume cooperation in this (military) field with Korea. North, South Korea, how would you feel? How would you feel? “
These remarks came in response to a question posed by Kim Heung-jong, head of the Institute for Foreign Economic Policy, who participated as an expert on the Korean side.
This was briefly mentioned in the last part after a long response to the Russian countermeasures linked to climate change, the Taiwan issue and the North Korean nuclear issue.
Some interpret the hypothesis of “resuming military cooperation with North Korea” as intimidation, but it is more reasonable to see it as an emphasis on Yeokjisaji’s attitude in context. Some media misinterpreted it as “nuclear cooperation” which did not exist.
Japan’s trade with Russia is on the rise … “We need a very good calculation of profits and losses”
Park Byung-hwan, former minister of Russia. The reporter Hwang Jin-hwan
The exaggeration or distortion of fundamental facts in international relations is itself a factor that ruins diplomacy. Unless intentional, extreme caution is required.
Before the Ukrainian war, Russia had maintained relatively friendly relations with Korea. Compared to China and Japan, there is no historical, territorial or international political conflict, and rather, it is an important cooperative partner in moving north.
Although its national power has diminished, it is still a powerful power exerting influence on the Korean peninsula. Although we have participated in the sanctions against Russia from the perspective of the ROK-US alliance and diplomacy of value, there is no reason to pretend more than necessary.
Furthermore, in a fluid situation where the world order is reorganized, a cold and strategic judgment is also necessary to survive.
This is clearly seen by the fact that Japan appears to be in full contact with the United States, but in reality it never gives up its practical interests with Russia.
According to a recent report by the New York Times, the amount of trade between Japan and Russia has increased by 13% compared to before the war in Ukraine. On the other hand, South Korea has quietly shown itself to be a staunch ally of the United States, with a 17% decrease in trade with Russia.
“Russia, a major producer of oil, gas and raw materials, has long-term and profitable trading partners,” noted The New York Times.
In conjunction with Europe’s energy and food shortages, concerns about who is sanctioning whom at the start of sanctions against Russia are becoming a reality. Like it or not, it has big implications for us as Russia’s main partner.
“We tend to overestimate China and underestimate Russia,” said Park Byung-hwan, Russia’s former minister of Russia.
