After reports that North Korean soldiers could be deployed to support Russia in the war in Ukraine, South Korea reacted quickly. Not only did the country summon the Russian ambassador, but he is now also considering direct arms deliveries to Ukraine.
Diplomatic, economic and military measures would be against various Situations of military cooperation between North Korea and Russia prepared, according to Reuters news agency on Tuesday – from the presidential office in Seoul. This also includes the delivery of lethal weapons to Ukraine if the situation worsens.
South Korea pledges aid package for soldiers’ supplies
So far, South Korea has only supported Ukraine with humanitarian aid and the delivery of helmets. Recent deliveries from Seoul included 70 ambulances and ten demining vehicles. In August this year, South Korea agreed to provide Ukraine with a mid- and long-term aid package worth $2.3 million starting this year, as well as $12 million to care for Ukraine’s wounded soldiers through a NATO trust fund for Ukraine.
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But what would Seoul’s support for Ukraine look like with weapons? There are 3.4 million 105 mm grenades in the countrywrites the Ukrainian magazine “Defense Express”. The grenades are urgently needed by the armed forces of Ukraine, because Ukraine has received more than 100 howitzers from its partners in the West, which require ammunition of this caliber.
In April this year, the US think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said that South Korea had millions of such 105mm grenades and that it would be wise to hand them over to forces Armed forces of Ukraine. Defense Express authors stress that some of the shells are no longer needed by South Korea itself. Thus, the ammunition could be forwarded without serious consequences for Seoul.
South Korea also has several long-range weapons
If South Korea really decides to supply weapons to Ukraine, this should lead to a strengthening of relations between Kiev and Seoul, writes Valeriy Ryabykh, military expert and editor of Defense Express. Ryabykh also notes that Seoul could supply Ukraine with a range of long-range weapons. For example, ballistic missiles with a range of 120 to 1000 kilometers.
„South Korea has good cruise missilesespecially the KTSSM-II, which should be viewed in parallel with the ATACMS. Similar missiles are already being considered for sale to Poland. And Poland is buying a large number of Korean K239 Chunmoo systems, which can be compared to the Himars,” he said.
It had already been said by the military expert Serhiy Zgurets during the summer that that South Korea’s military capability could significantly strengthen Ukraine and its armed forces. “This country is already a leader in the production and export of a significant number of weapons, from tanks, aircraft, helicopters, armored personnel carriers, air defense systems and long-range weapons,” he said.
According to him, South Korea has several advantages compared to European and American suppliers. “First: flexibility, the possibility of borrowing. Secondly, the country is moving to produce under license on the customer’s territory. This is currently being used by Poland,” explains Zgurets.
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Does South Korea send intelligence specialists?
The South Korean government and the Ukrainian military are said to be currently discussing sending a team of intelligence specialists with extensive knowledge of North Korea. These specialists could conduct inquiries if Ukrainian forces capture North Korean soldiersproviding Ukraine with additional information on Pyongyang’s possible plans.
Russian President Vladimir Putin described the claims of North Korean military involvement as insensitive. His Dmitry Peskov dismissed reports of the latest move as “another canard”. At the same time, according to the US think tank “Institute for the Study of War” (ISW), Moscow is making efforts to reduce tensions with Seoul.
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According to ISW analysts, the Kremlin’s behavior reflects that that the Russian leadership was concerned about the prospect of South Korea providing military support to Ukraine. “In the past, Russia has sought Seoul’s favor in order to mitigate the consequences of its increased dependence on North Korea,” the experts explain.