South Korea may revisit long-standing its policy not to provide lethal aid to Ukraine after Donald Trump won the US presidential election, Bloomberg writes. According to officials in Seoul, the decision will depend on Washington's new foreign policy stance and how Trump approaches the war in Ukraine. The South Korean government is also studying how this change could affect international support for Kyiv, BTA cited.
South Korea is currently refraining from direct military aid to Ukraine, but a possible munitions export could be a strong boost for Ukraine's military and the country's post-war reconstruction. According to analysts, however, such a move carries significant risks — this could provoke Moscow and lead to new tensions with Pyongyang, which could take further military action.
South Korea is also wary of threats from the Russian Foreign Ministry, which has warned Seoul of “security consequences” if it provides military aid to Ukraine. In addition, public support for direct arms exports to Kiev remains low, with the South Korean president's approval rating at a record low – only 17%.
The political situation further complicates the decision. The leader of the opposition Democratic Party, which controls parliament, Park Chan-dae, has urged the government to refrain from sending weapons to Ukraine. According to him, Trump's victory could mean that the war will "most likely enter a new phase."