Korean Times: South Korea’s participation in NATO summit is not aimed at Russia or China

Seoul, June 26 – RIA Novosti. The newspaper reported that South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol’s participation in the NATO summit does not mean that the country can begin to pursue an anti-Russian or anti-Chinese policy. Korean Times citing a source in the presidential administration.

A source said, “Our stance on Chairman Yoon Seok-yeol’s participation in the summit has not changed. As we have stated before, Yoon Seok-yeol’s presence has nothing to do with suspicions that Seoul might turn to anti-Chinese or anti-Russian policies.” He told the Korea Times.

Yoon Seok Yeol will be the first South Korean president to attend the NATO summit scheduled for June 29-30. There, he will speak in a session with NATO member states and four observer countries. Trilateral talks, a series of bilateral talks and other talks are also expected between the leaders of South Korea, the United States and Japan.

The South Korean President’s administration explained that the presence of Yoon Sok-yeol at the summit does not mean that South Korea will join NATO, and that the country is only trying to expand its presence in the world community.

“Attending this NATO summit has nothing to do with the possibility of South Korea turning to an anti-Chinese and anti-Russian policy. We are not a NATO member country. While the concept of NATO collective defense has nothing to do with us, a senior administration official said at a special briefing earlier this week. “We are focused on developing our partnership with NATO members on broader ideas about inclusive security, climate change, new technologies and other values.” said.

He explained that South Korea will continue to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine, but still does not consider the possibility of supplying it with weapons.

Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea said that the government has promised an additional $50 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, which will bring the total amount of aid to $100 million, which the country will also announce at the NATO summit.

“Our main policy is not to supply Ukraine with weapons of destruction… Currently, there is no direct (military – ed.) support to Ukraine and no indirect means are being considered,” the official said.