​The US Department of Defense has asked its forces stationed in South Korea, one of the Asian allies, to provide equipment to help Ukraine in the war against Russia, Reuters and Yonhap agencies reported, cited by Agerpres.

A pentagonPhoto: Editorial Shutterstock / Profimedia Images

“This has zero impact on our operations and our ability to fulfill our firm commitment to defend our ally, the Republic of Korea,” US Forces South Korea (USFK) spokesman Isaac Taylor said in a statement.

The USFK has an effective strength of about 28,500 soldiers. No other details about the type of weapons to be delivered or how many have been requested or already transferred have been released.

This week, the New York Times reported that the US is transferring ammunition from Israel and South Korea to Ukraine for use in the war against Russia.

Asked about the information, the Defense Ministry in Seoul said it was working closely with the United States to maintain a state of readiness. Seoul’s policy is not to supply Ukraine with lethal weapons.

South Korea tried not to upset Russia in the context of new tensions on the peninsula

South Korea has tried to avoid differences with Russia, both for economic reasons and because of the influence that Moscow can exert on North Korea.

Tensions between Seoul and Pyongyang suddenly flared again late last year after North Korea sent a drone that violated its southern neighbor’s airspace for the first time in five years, also flying over the South Korean capital.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has sharply criticized his military after they failed to shoot down even one of the North Korean drones launched on December 26.

Despite being less belligerent toward Russia than Japan, South Korea blocked transactions with the Bank of Russia and seized assets belonging to the Russian central bank last March, shortly after Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine.

In November, a U.S. official said Washington was in discussions with South Korea to buy artillery shells to send to Ukraine, although Seoul insists the U.S. is the ultimate recipient.

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