Picture of the Day: President Yoon Meets With Indian Prime Minister
President Yoon Suk Yeol (L) shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a welcoming ceremony of the Group of 20 summit held at Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition-Convention Centre in New Delhi on Sept. 9, 2023. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
No money for research and development and no money for defense, so cut cut cut and cut… but Yoon has a lot of money for Ukraine.
https://kyivindependent.com/south-korea-pledges-2-3-billion-in-aid-for-ukraine/
While I don’t know the details of this agreement, I would guess it goes something like this:
– Korea used to be a poor country that required a lot of foreign aid.
– Now, Korea is a rich country that is expected to provide a set amount of foreign aid based on international agreements.
– It should surprise nobody to learn Korea doesn’t just hand over a suitcase with cash to fulfill their foreign aid obligation.
– Korea gives this money to Korean government organizations or companies to provide high-priced services and overvalued goods.
– Ukraine will get something or other that will fullfill Korea’s obligations while keeping most of this money in Korea, and a large percentage of that within the government.
This allows Korea to keep promises while maintaining a politically moral highground for a price MUCH smaller than bragged about.
And that is the way the world works.