The South Korean government has decided to reconsider its weapon support for Ukraine in response to the North Korea-Russia treaty, which is seen as a quasi-military alliance. South Korea is expected to provide 155mm artillery shells and anti-tank guided missiles to Ukraine and gradually supply various weapons and equipment as requested by Ukraine.
Chang Ho Jin, the head of the National Security Office, condemned the strategic partnership treaty signed by North Korea and Russia during a briefing at the presidential office on June 20. The strategic partnership treaty is known to be equivalent to a military alliance. Chang stated, “We plan to reconsider our weapon support for Ukraine.” Despite the continuous requests from the Ukrainian government and Western countries since the outbreak of the Ukrainian war, the South Korean government has maintained its stance that it’s impossible to provide lethal weapons to the Ukrainian military due to its relations with Russia.
The South Korean military authorities have officially confirmed that their support to Ukraine includes only non-lethal materials. These items comprise emergency medicine, combat rations, bulletproof helmets and vests, gas masks with filters, and mine removal equipment.
If the South Korean government decides to support lethal weapons to Ukraine, 155mm artillery shells and anti-tank guided missiles are likely to be prioritized. The 155mm artillery shell, known to have significantly impacted the early stages of the Ukrainian war, is currently in short supply in Ukraine. Despite firing 7,000 rounds per day at the beginning of the war, Ukraine is now facing an ammunition crisis. There have been numerous reports in the foreign media suggesting that the South Korean government has indirectly supported Ukraine with 155mm artillery shells. It is reported that some shells owned by the U.S. Forces in South Korea were sent to Ukraine and the U.S. and that South Korean companies have sold shells to the U.S. Forces in South Korea.
However, if the South Korean government’s policy announced on June 20 is confirmed, shells will likely be sent to Ukraine through a direct deal in the future.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is giving a speech at the 21st Asia Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue) held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore on June 2. ©News1
There is speculation that defense weapons such as the portable surface-to-air Shingung and the anti-tank guided missile Hyungung will be sent to Ukraine. In particular, Hyungung is mentioned as a weapon to replace the American Javelin that the Ukrainian military uses to destroy Russian tanks, as it has superior armor penetration and costs only a third of the price.
Kim Dae Young, a researcher at the Korea National Strategy Institute(KNSI), said, “South Korean government can send about 1 million 155mm artillery shells in storage as the first step, and as the second step, it can send T-80U tanks, BMP-3 armored vehicles, Metis anti-tank guided missiles, and Igla portable surface-to-air missiles that were brought in from Russia through the past Bulgom project but are hardly used now.”
“If permission is obtained, the portable anti-aircraft guided missile Mistral brought in from France can also be sent,” and added, “Eventually, it seems like we will send domestic weapons, but it seems difficult and time-consuming for now,” Kim said.
Although most of South Korea’s weapons are recognized for their excellent performance and can be fully utilized in the Ukrainian war, there is a drawback. It takes time for the Ukrainian military to use them because they need training. Also, there is an opinion that it is virtually impossible to move them abroad in the current security crisis on the Korean Peninsula as most of the domestic weapons are deployed at the front line.
Ukraine has publicly expressed its hope for providing armored vehicles, ambulances, anti-drone systems, mechanical mine removal equipment, and weapons. Since these items are not classified as direct lethal weapons, the South Korean government may quickly decide to provide them to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a press conference held in Vietnam on June 20 that if South Korea supplies lethal weapons to Ukraine, it would be a “very big mistake.” He also warned in October 2022 that if South Korea supplies weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, the South Korea-Russia relationship will no longer be valid.