Korea is often mentioned in international discussions on the war between Ukraine and Russia. First of all, the 'Korean-style division model' is mentioned in the process of predicting 'how the war will end'. "Rather than end with war, there are those who argue that a realistic scenario would be to draw a line somewhere in Ukraine's territory and divide Russia and Ukraine to rule like South Korea and North Korea."
Voices are also growing that "Korea should be more active in providing military support to Ukraine . " The Yoon Seok-yeol government is following the principle of not supporting lethal weapons. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) pressured South Korea with the intention of 'supporting lethal weapons'.
The Hankook Ilbo interviewed Petro Burkowski, executive director of Ukraine's leading think tank, 'Ilko Kucheriu Foundation for Democratic Initiatives', on the 21st (local time) at the office in Kiiu, the capital, on the subject of 'the war in Ukraine and Korea's role'. . Burkowski is an expert on international affairs who served as the director of the Russia Center at the National Institute for Strategic Studies. He is also well versed in East Asian issues. He also heads an agency that monitors Russian propaganda media activities.
◆Is a Korean-style division model between North and South Korea possible?
Although Ukraine and Russia deny it, there are persistent claims that "the Korean-style division model is a solution to a ceasefire and end of the war that minimizes human casualties." Oleksi Arestovich, former strategic communications adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said in a recent media interview, "It is possible that the West is considering the scenario of establishing 'another Korea' in Ukraine."
"It's an impossible story," Burkowski declared.
Burkowski cited the first reason as being unacceptable to Ukrainians . According to a poll conducted by the foundation in December last year, 63% of Ukrainian respondents said "the war will end only when we win". When asked what a victory is, 54% answered "expelling Russian troops from all over Ukraine and restoring the borders." In the same poll, 93% said they were "sure of winning".
As anger and hatred toward Russia grew, so did public opinion calling for “fighting until the end.” Burkowski said, "I conducted a closed opinion poll in Zaporizhia and Mykolai Oblast, which were heavily bombed by the Russian army, and the public sentiment that 'We must fight until we destroy Russia' has rather increased." It's gone," he said.
We are also determined that Russia cannot be forgiven for its numerous war crimes . Burkowski said, "If you hand over part of Ukraine's territory to Russia, another crime will occur there." .
Burkowski also said, "From a strategic point of view, attempting an armistice would only give the Russians a chance to reload their forces ." He said, "Ukraine does not have a strong military alliance like the United States, which is Korea's ally, and has not joined NATO. Russia will use the armistice period to rearm and attack Ukraine again."
Burkowski said, "Unlike the divided South and North Korea, which regarded each other as one nation, Ukraine and Russia see each other as enemies. The situation in South Korea and Ukraine is completely different."
◆Should South Korea provide lethal weapons?
Burkowski said, "I understand the situation in which South Korea, which is in confrontation with North Korea, cannot directly provide weapons," but urged "the South Korean government to reconsider."
Burkowski said, “Starting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the division between ‘democratic camp versus dictatorship’ in the international community became stark .
As the war dragged on, observations continued that Russia's arms stocks were falling. Even so, the West, including the United States, suspects that it is thanks to the support of North Korea and China. North Korea recently denied the Russian support rumors, citing Kwon Jeong-geun, director of the U.S. Department of the Foreign Ministry, saying, "If you keep spreading false rumors, you will face really boring results."
Burkowski said he did not believe in North Korea. He said, "Looking at North Korea's sensitive reaction, it is highly likely that it received a request from Russia to 'publicly deny the rumor of arms support'." It is because it is a disgrace for Russia to open its hands to North Korea, the poorest country.
Kiwoo = Correspondent Eunbyeol Shin ebshin@hankookilbo.com
