NATO Secretary General: "Korea Should Provide Military Support to Ukraine"

[Asia Economy Reporter Haeyoung Kwon] Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), who visited Korea, urged the country on the 30th to provide military support related to the Ukraine war.

Secretary General Stoltenberg stated at a special lecture held at the Choi Jonghyun Academy on the same day, "I urge Korea to take action on the specific issue of military support." He added, "Ultimately, it is a decision that Korea must make," and explained, "Some NATO allies have even changed their policies of not exporting weapons to countries engaged in conflict."

The Korean government currently maintains the position that, aside from economic and humanitarian aid, providing lethal weapons to Ukraine is not possible. Secretary General Stoltenberg cited the cases of Germany, Sweden, and Norway, who changed their policies, explaining that "(their policy changes) were because they realized it is the only way to support democracy and create the conditions for Ukraine's victory and lasting peace."

Stoltenberg's appeal to Korea for military support is interpreted as being due to the prolonged Ukraine war, which has led most NATO member countries to deplete their stockpiles of weapons to support Ukraine. He emphasized repeatedly, "Currently, Ukraine urgently needs more ammunition and weapons," and "If we do not want dictatorship and tyranny to prevail, weapons are necessary."

On the same day, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who visited Korea, is also expected to raise the issue of joining in weapon support for Ukraine during his meeting with Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop. Austin's visit is also timed ahead of the NATO Defense Ministers' Meeting to be held on the 14th of next month in Brussels, Belgium, during which the 'Ukraine Defense Contact Group' (UDCG) meeting will take place. The UDCG, launched under U.S. leadership in April last year to discuss support for Ukraine, includes participation from over 50 countries, including Korea.