[단독]Ukrainian Ambassador to Korea “Requests arms support from Korea”… Regarding the possibility of an end-of-war agreement, “freezing the conflict is not the solution” | Dong-A Ilbo

Ukrainian Ambassador to Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko is having an exclusive interview with Dong-A Ilbo at the Ukrainian Embassy in Korea in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 11th. Reporter Byun Young-wook cut@donga.com Ukrainian Ambassador to Korea Dmitry Ponomarenko said on the 11th that he requested arms support from the Korean government, saying, “We conveyed this to the Korean Ministry of Defense through a diplomatic document, and the Ukrainian side also made (the request) at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) meeting. “I shared it,” he said. With U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who pledged to “end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office,” being re-elected, whether to provide weapons to Ukraine has been assessed as a dilemma for the Korean government.

In an interview with the Dong-A Ilbo at the Ukrainian Embassy in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Ambassador Ponomarenko said of the defensive weapons that Ukraine requested from the Korean government, “These are weapons that detect, intercept, and destroy enemy equipment,” and “missile defense systems and drone defense systems.” explained. When asked whether he had requested support for 155mm ammunition from the Korean government, he said, “We have a list of urgent requirements that the Ukrainian military needs to defend its territory, and this certainly includes 155mm ammunition.” He continued, “We also need multiple launch rocket systems (MRLS), armored vehicles and tanks, but we understand that it is currently impossible to request everything from Korea,” adding, “So we are focusing on defense equipment.” “We have communicated our top demands and the matter is pending without a decision,” he said.

In response to the observation that President-elect Trump will push for an end-of-war agreement as is, with Russia occupying about 20% of Ukraine’s territory, he said, “We cannot trade on territory,” and added, “The attacker (Russia) and the victim (Ukraine) should be treated equally.” “I cannot accept any proposal to deal with it,” he said. Regarding the monitoring team that will be dispatched to Ukraine that the Korean government is considering, he said, “The final decision is up to the Korean government,” and “Once the Korean government makes a decision, we will not spare any support.”
Ambassador Ponomarenko, who was appointed to Seoul on February 16, 2022, a week before Russia invaded Ukraine, said that he had recently met with National Assembly National Defense Committee Chairman Seong Il-jong and several other meetings with National Assembly members and government officials to emphasize the need for support for defensive weapons. The following is a Q&A.

―Have you conveyed the need for ‘defensive weapons’ to the Korean government?

“We hope that the Korean government will make a decision to provide lethal weapons to Ukraine. However, I know that this issue is causing a lot of controversy in Korean society, especially in the political world. So, we are suggesting (to the Korean government) that we may consider supplying defensive ammunition to Ukraine on a humanitarian basis. The nights in Ukraine are filled with the sound of sirens and people are taking refuge in basements. “Sending defensive ammunition is not abetting war, but is an action for peace.”

―What is a ‘defensive weapon’?

“These are weapons that detect, intercept, and destroy enemy equipment. Specifically, it means missile defense systems and drone defense systems.”

―Have the Ukrainian military authorities ever requested 155mm artillery shells from Korea?

“The ‘urgent requirements’ that the Ukrainian military authorities conveyed to me through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs definitely included 155mm ammunition. This is a list of weapons needed to defend territory and civilian life. These include multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), low-altitude and semi-altitude air defense systems, artillery systems, armored combat vehicles, and even fighter jets and tanks. However, I understand that it is currently impossible to ask Korea for everything. So we are focusing on defensive equipment.”

―Did you make a request for weapons directly to Korea? Or was it delivered through an organization such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)?

“I did it through both sides. “As Korea participates as a NATO partner, we shared this at NATO meetings and at the same time delivered it directly to the Korean Ministry of National Defense through diplomatic documents.”

―The South Korean government announced that it is considering sending a ‘monitoring team’ to Ukraine to monitor the movements of North Korean troops deployed to Russia. Do you think it is realistically possible to dispatch a monitoring team?

“I think that option is realistic. We are exploring possibilities and preparing mechanisms for this. However, the final decision rests with the Korean government. “We will spare no effort in providing all of our support should the Korean government make a decision.”

―If a North Korean prisoner of war is captured on the battlefield, can South Korean officials be dispatched to the scene to interrogate him? Furthermore, is it possible to bring North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea?

“The Ukrainian military treats prisoners of war with respect and in accordance with international law. “Once a special envoy is dispatched (to Korea in the near future), the method and timing of cooperation will become clear.”

-What role are the North Korean troops dispatched to Russia playing?

“ About 12,000 North Korean soldiers were deployed to the Russian Far East, and about 5,000 appear to have gone to the Kursk region (which is Russian territory). North Korean troops were also confirmed in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of the Russian-occupied Donbass region (which is Ukrainian territory). There appears to be an engineer unit and a special operations unit.”

―Since his days as a candidate, President-elect Trump has said, “I will end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours.” Vice President-elect Vance also mentioned a proposal for a ceasefire or end to the war centered on the ‘current border’. Is Ukraine willing to hold talks with Russia for an end to the war and a ceasefire?

“We do not trade sovereignty and territory. Any proposal that treats attackers and victims equally is unacceptable. ‘Freezing’ the conflict cannot be a solution. All it does is give Russia time to prepare to attack again. Previously, President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed a peace formula that included restoration of intact territory and withdrawal of Russian troops, and more than 100 countries around the world are supporting it.”