{"id":2200793,"date":"2023-04-24T08:00:21","date_gmt":"2023-04-23T23:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2200793"},"modified":"2023-04-23T22:45:56","modified_gmt":"2023-04-23T13:45:56","slug":"opposition-leader-calls-for-national-assembly-consent-to-arm-ukraine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/04\/opposition-leader-calls-for-national-assembly-consent-to-arm-ukraine\/","title":{"rendered":"Opposition leader calls for National Assembly consent to arm Ukraine"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/b>South Korea\u2019s main opposition Democratic Party (DP) leader, Lee Jae-myung, held a <\/span>press briefing<\/span><\/a> on Friday to express concerns over President Yoon Suk-yeol\u2019s <\/span>suggestion<\/span><\/a> that South Korea might provide arms to Ukraine. Lee emphasized the potential negative consequences, such as damage to South Korean businesses in Russia and increased military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, which could threaten South Korea’s national security. Lee told local media of his intention to pursue legislation that would require the president to obtain the National Assembly\u2019s consent before providing arms to conflict areas.<\/span><\/p>\n During the briefing, Lee also criticized Yoon for opposing the use of force to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, describing Yoon\u2019s remarks as \u201cadding fuel\u201d to the worsening of ROK-China relations. Lee argued that intervention in the Taiwan Strait could result in future crises there affecting the Korean Peninsula and posing a threat to South Korea\u2019s national security. He also warned of potential significant losses for South Koreans and businesses, surpassing <\/span>those<\/span><\/a> experienced during China\u2019s \u201cunofficial\u201d sanctions imposed during <\/span>the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) incident<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Why It Matters<\/b><\/p>\n Lee Jae-myung has adopted a strong position against providing arms to Ukraine, likely because he believes the majority of voters support this stance. <\/span>June 2022 Gallup Korea survey<\/span><\/a> revealed that 72% of respondents felt South Korea should only provide non-military support to Ukraine, with only 15% favoring military assistance. However, it is unlikely that Lee could successfully pass legislation requiring the president to obtain parliamentary consent before shipping arms to conflict regions. Yoon would likely <\/span>veto<\/span><\/a> such a bill, and a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly is necessary to override a presidential veto.<\/span><\/p>\n Lee\u2019s vocal warning about the potential economic consequences of deteriorating relations with China highlights concerns regarding Beijing\u2019s leverage over Seoul. Chinese officials have <\/span>continued to exert diplomatic pressure<\/span><\/a> on Seoul, likely in an attempt to influence Yoon\u2019s upcoming state visit to Washington. Although Western resistance to Chinese economic pressure has evolved over time, China\u2019s \u201cunofficial\u201d sanctions on South Korea following Seoul\u2019s decision to deploy THAAD batteries have left a lasting impression on South Koreans\u2019 collective psyche.<\/span><\/p>\n