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South Korea ,Ukraine

South Korea has announced a $12-million aid package for the rehabilitation of wounded Ukrainian soldiers. The disclosure was made during a meeting with NATO Indo-Pacific partner countries in Brussels. This contribution is part of Seoul's larger $2.3-billion aid commitment from 2024 onwards.

The announcement was attended by ministry heads from Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-Yul stated that the aid package will be channeled through NATO's Comprehensive Assistance Package Trust Fund for Ukraine, which was established in 2016 to support the country in rebuilding its security and defense sector.

This move comes in response to criticism from Russia regarding South Korea's disclosure of non-lethal and humanitarian aid to Kyiv in 2023.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the regional implications of North Korea's support for Russia in the ongoing war. Minister Cho expressed concerns about Pyongyang's decision to arm Moscow, citing potential security threats to the Korean Peninsula and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

South Korea recently reported that North Korea might be using Ukraine as a testing ground for its weapons by allowing Russia to deploy them in combat. Reports suggest that North Korea has sent 7,000 containers of arms, including artillery shells, self-propelled rockets, and ballistic missiles, to Russia.

Minister Cho also highlighted concerns about Russia's transfer of refined oil to North Korea, which could undermine the global nonproliferation regime aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.