War

In Seoul, Rustem Umerov will negotiate the supply of South Korean weapons to Ukraine

A Ukrainian delegation headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov is heading to South Korea for arms deals. This was reported by the South China Morning Post, citing an informed source, Komersant ukrainskyi reports.

The Ukrainian delegation is expected to meet with its South Korean counterparts “as early as Wednesday” and present a list of requests, which includes anti-aircraft missiles and artillery systems, the source said on condition of anonymity.

A spokesman for the South Korean Defense Ministry declined to comment.

What is South Korea’s position on supporting Ukraine?

At the moment, South Korea has limited its support for Ukraine to non-lethal aid, sending gas masks and field rations, for example, and adhering to a policy of not supplying lethal weapons to countries at war.

Recently, however, President Yun Suk-yol has signaled a potential change. Last month, he said that Seoul might consider providing weapons, starting with defensive items and moving to lethal ones, depending on the extent of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, which is known to have sent about 10,000 soldiers to Russia to fight.

However, the recent US elections may have influenced South Korea’s position. Observers suggest that Trump’s victory prompted President Moon to reconsider his previously more aggressive stance.

Some local experts believe that “South Korea should consider aligning its policy with the future Trump administration.”

Official Moscow has also warned South Korea against providing weapons to Ukraine, saying that such a move would “completely destroy” bilateral relations.

Observers also point to the strong resistance from opposition parties that control the National Assembly and equate the provision of weapons with participation in the war. Opposition lawmakers have even threatened to impeach South Korea’s defense minister if the government sends military aid to Ukraine.

Will the South Korean government listen to Ukraine’s requests now?

Doo Jin-ho, a researcher at the Korea Defense Analysis Institute, believes that although South Korea is a world leader in conventional weapons production, it is likely to be cautious about this issue.

“South Korea will listen to Ukraine’s request, but it is unlikely to make a clear commitment to provide weapons. The government will take a wait-and-see attitude and monitor the development of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea before deciding on its next steps,” said Doo Jin-ho.

He reiterated the view that factors such as Moscow’s threats, the resistance of the South Korean National Assembly, and the political influence of Trump’s second presidency are behind Seoul’s indecision.