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| ▲ Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, speaks during a policy meeting of the party at the National Assembly on Nov. 7, 2024. (Yonhap) |
(US election) DP-Trump-Ukraine
(US election) DP floor leader says Trump victory signals shift in Ukraine war
SEOUL, Nov. 7 (Yonhap) -- The floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) on Thursday urged the government to stop mulling the provision of weapons to Ukraine, saying the war in Kyiv is likely to enter a new phase with former U.S. President Donald Trump's election.
Park Chan-dae made the remark in a DP policy meeting at the National Assembly, saying he expects "massive changes in international affairs" under the second Trump administration.
"The government should not be overhasty and halt all plans for troop deployment and arms support," he said.
Pointing out the president-elect previously vowed to end the war quickly, Park said South Korea has "no reason to rush" into supplying weapons to Ukraine.
Throughout his campaign, Trump has voiced strong doubts over the continued U.S. support to Ukraine, saying he could end Russia's war in "24 hours" if he was reelected.
Last month, President Yoon Suk Yeol said Seoul could consider providing arms to Ukraine, in a possible departure from the government's policy of offering humanitarian and non-lethal defense assistance.
Following Trump's election victory, Yoon reiterated his stance at a press conference on Thursday, and said he will "not rule out" the possibility of providing weapons to Kyiv, depending on the extent of North Korean military involvement in the war.
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