South Korea Rejects Ukraine's Anti-Aircraft Weapons' Request Amid Fear Of 'Larger Operations'

Just hours before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said there were possibilities of more aggressive attacks from Russia, South Korea rejected Kyiv's request of providing lethal weapons to fight Moscow's forces.

Kyiv had requested Seoul to provide them with anti-aircraft weaponry to help in the combat against Russia, amid fears of Moscow likely starting "even larger operations in the east of our state." A defense ministry official said in Seoul on Monday the decision was taken by South Korea's Defense Minister Suh Wook based on its “principled stance” on not providing lethal hardware to the war-torn country.

"Suh had explained that there are limits in providing lethal weapon systems to Ukraine, given our security situation and its potential impact on our military's readiness posture," Boo Seung-chan, the spokesperson for the defense ministry, told a regular press briefing, according to the Korean Herald.

Another unidentified defense ministry official said Ukraine's defense minister Oleksii Yuriyovych Reznikov wanted South Korea to supply its “Shingung” shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles, which were marketed internationally as the “Chiron,” the South China Morning Post reported, citing The Chosun newspaper. These missiles have proven to be highly efficient in destroying low-flying targets such as helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft.

South Korea has helped Ukraine with non-lethal military supplies worth $804,100, such as bulletproof helmets and blankets, as well as medical items in March. But its request for military support has been declined. The war-torn nation has been requesting the international community to help them with humanitarian and military support, including rifles, anti-tank missiles and other weapons.

South Korea’s Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong told members of the transatlantic security alliance NATO in Brussels on Thursday that Seoul plans to provide Ukraine with additional humanitarian aid worth $40 million, the Korea Herald reported.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has received $1.7 billion in military assistance – including defensive anti-aircraft Stinger and anti-tank Javelin missiles, as well as ammunition and body armor – from the United States since Russia launched its invasion on Feb. 24, the White House said last week, according to Reuters.

In a latest nightly video address, Ukraine's President warned its citizens of more havoc that could be created by Russia despite its troops being pushed away from Kyiv.

"They can use even more missiles against us, even more air bombs... But we are preparing for their actions. We will respond," Zelensky reportedly said.

On Sunday, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said Russia was trying to prepare for an offensive operation in the eastern Donbas region.

"Russia keeps on regrouping, increasing the management system and logistics of troops. The Russian occupying forces are moving battalion tactical groups from the Eastern and Central military districts to the Belgorod, Voronezh and Kursk regions bordering Ukraine," Ukrayinska Pravda quoted the General Staff as saying in a statement.