The South Korean government is considering joining NATO's 'Priority Assistance List' (PURL) for Ukraine, which involves financial contributions to help purchase U.S. weapons for Ukraine. In response to this potential action, Russia has strongly warned that it will take retaliatory measures against South Korea. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that if South Korea partakes in the provision of such military supplies, it would delay the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine and cause irreparable damage to Russia-South Korea relations, potentially destroying prospects for constructive dialogue regarding the Korean Peninsula.

Currently, there has been no decision made by the South Korean government regarding participation in PURL, although discussions on various assistance plans with NATO are ongoing. As for other countries, Australia and New Zealand have already committed to participating, and Japan is also moving towards involvement, albeit limiting its support to non-lethal equipment. South Korea has maintained a principle of not providing lethal aid to Ukraine since Russia's invasion in 2022, aiming to manage its relations with both North Korea and Russia without provoking them. However, the nation has continued to offer humanitarian assistance in the form of non-lethal supplies and humanitarian missions like medical support and mine clearance.

While there are ongoing discussions regarding whether Korea should participate in the PURL initiative, South Korea's stance has thus far been cautious, especially considering the implications of such a move on its foreign relations and security dynamics in the region. The situation raises concerns over how South Korea balances its security commitments to NATO and the necessity of maintaining stable relations with Russia, especially amidst ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula and the broader geopolitical landscape.