Relations between South Korea and Russia have significantly deteriorated, prompted by recent mutual accusations about a military cooperation agreement between North Korea and Russia. On Sunday, South Korea reaffirmed its strong commitment to supplying arms to Ukraine if Russia provides precision weapons to North Korea. “The types of weapons we will supply to Ukraine will depend on Russia’s next move,” National Security Advisor Chang Ho-jin stated in an interview with KBS.

Chang’s comments followed a threat from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who warned that Moscow “will … make decisions which are unlikely to please the current leadership of South Korea” if Seoul decides to send weapons to Kyiv. Putin made this statement during a meeting with reporters on Thursday in Vietnam. He also indicated that Russia might consider supplying advanced arms to North Korea.

Such hostile exchanges have raised concerns, underscoring a standoff between South Korea and Russia, with each viewing the other as a potential a
dversary. This tension risks pushing the Korean Peninsula at the forefront of a new cold war. Russia’s recent signing of a military agreement with North Korea is seen as a betrayal by Seoul, which has refrained from supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine despite persistent demands from the United States and its Western allies. The military pact between Russia and North Korea includes a commitment to provide mutual assistance in case of an external attack, prompting South Korea to reconsider its stance on supplying arms to Kyiv.

Putin claimed the recent military agreement contains no new stipulation compared to the 1961 accord between the two sides. However, the current agreement contains more details regarding possible military cooperation and emphasizes “immediate” interference. Most importantly, North Korea had no nuclear weapons in 1961, but now it does. Russia, the world’s largest nuclear power, has been issuing threats to use nuclear weapons against Western countries supporting Ukraine. This situation sugg
ests that nuclear-armed autocratic states are joining forces to intimidate South Korea, which does not possess nuclear weapons.

Desperate to win the war in Ukraine, Putin is attempting to alter the status quo, starting with the Korean Peninsula. The global order is expected to shift rapidly as countries increasingly pursue their own national interests. The potential escalation of the standoff between the U.S. and Russia raises the risk of a nuclear conflict, prompting Seoul to consider arming itself with nuclear warheads.

U.S. Republican Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi cited the need to discuss the possible sharing of nuclear weapons among U.S. allies – South Korea, Japan and Australia, in response to the North Korea-Russia military agreement. Among the 32 member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), five nations – Germany, Turkey, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands – are nuclear-sharing states.

In accordance with nuclear sharing agreements, those countries can influence decisions on t
he possible use of nuclear weapons and can operate their own jet fighters to deploy them. This arrangement allows them to exercise rights related to the deployment and control of nuclear weapons, although the final authority to use atomic weapons rests with the U.S. president.

It is a pity only South Korea has no nuclear weapons despite its relentless confrontation with neighboring countries – North Korea, Russia and China. Moscow and Beijing have been acknowledging the North’s nuclear buildup campaigns, apparently abandoning their crucial roles as members of the United Nations Security Council. Now is the time to proactively consider arming South Korea with nuclear warheads, potentially including a share of tactical nuclear weapons similar to NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangements.

Regarding the recent Russia-North Korea military deal, diplomatic authorities are facing criticism for failing to effectively address the matter proactively. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs protested by summoning the Russian envoy,
albeit belatedly. Prior to the military agreement, detailed measures should have been mapped out and discussions with Russia should have been initiated. Previously, Putin expressed appreciation for Seoul’s decision not to supply weapons to Ukraine. Now, diplomatic authorities must consider how to respond to Russia’s questionable behavior, particularly in light of Putin’s recent provocative statement.

Source: Yonhap News Agency