Ukraine rejects South Korean peace model over security concerns

A South Korean model for ending the war in Ukraine is possible, but it does not meet Ukraine’s security needs.

President Volodymyr Zelensky made this statement in an interview with the French publication Le Point, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.

“South Korea is an example of the triumph of values. Its development is incomparable to that of North Korea, which has suffered a true economic and civilizational decay. South Korea has made a leap forward in terms of civilization, technology, and economy because it cultivates humanism. That’s what matters most for a country—you must focus on people,” Zelensky emphasized.

In his view, while a Korean-style end to the war is conceivable for Ukraine, the threat posed by North Korea is not comparable to that of Russia, and South Korea has significantly stronger security guarantees.

“Anything is possible, but we must acknowledge that South Korea has a major ally—the United States. And believe me, they have numerous air defense systems that ensure their safety. Frankly, Ukraine is striving to obtain reliable security guarantees, such as the Patriot systems South Korea possesses. However, this comparison has its limits: North Korea’s population is just over 20 million, while Russia’s exceeds 140 million. The threats from Russia are five, six, even ten times greater. An exact replication of the South Korean model is unlikely to meet Ukraine’s security needs,” Zelensky said, adding that he greatly admires South Korea’s economic model.

As previously reported, a ceasefire as part of a peace agreement is possible—provided Ukraine receives robust security guarantees, according to an advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron.