Yoon Suk Yeol hints at military aid to Ukraine if Russia targets civilians

President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the Yongsan presidential office in central Seoul on Tuesday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

President Yoon Suk Yeol said Korea could provide aid beyond humanitarian or economic support if Ukraine comes under a large-scale attack on its civilians in an interview Wednesday.

Yoon told Reuters that if "there is a situation the international community cannot condone, such as any large-scale attack on civilians, massacre or a serious violation of the laws of war, it may be difficult for us to insist only on humanitarian or financial support."

It was the first time Yoon suggested that Korea could provide military aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia.

His remarks signaling a possible shift in Korea's policy of not providing lethal aid to countries at war come ahead of his state visit to the United States next week.

The issue became a hot topic recently after leaked classified Pentagon documents indicated that U.S. intelligence authorities may have been spying on Korea's deliberations on supplying ammunition to Ukraine in its war with Russia.

Yoon also said he has no plan to hold a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un just to "show off" to voters for domestic political interests, but that he is open to dialogue.

He said regarding North Korea's evolving threats that if a nuclear war breaks out between the two Koreas, "this is probably not just a problem between the two sides, but the entire Northeast Asia would probably turn to ashes."

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]