Ukraine's Defense Minister to visit South Korea requesting weapons aid, media reports
Photo: Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov (Getty Images)
The Ukrainian delegation, led by Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov, is preparing for a visit to South Korea to discuss the possibility of military assistance. The visit may take place on Wednesday, the South China Morning Post reports.
According to the media sources, Kyiv plans to present a list of requests, including air defense missiles and artillery systems.
South Korea, which had previously limited its support to Ukraine to non-lethal means, may reconsider its position.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol recently stated that Seoul is ready to consider supplying weapons to Ukraine, depending on the level of North Korea's involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine. However, observers believe that Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential elections could influence South Korea's caution in this matter.
Experts emphasize that Seoul's decision will depend on both internal and external factors, including pressure from Moscow and resistance from South Korea's opposition. Some opposition lawmakers have already threatened to impeach South Korea's defense minister if the government decides to send military assistance to Ukraine.
Moscow, for its part, warned Seoul against such actions, stating that it would would "fully destroy" bilateral relations. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko stated that Seoul should avoid actions that could undermine long-term national interests.
Amid the growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, Ukraine continues to seek support. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier confirmed plans to send a "detailed request" to South Korea for the supply of artillery and air defense systems.
Assistance to Ukraine from South Korea
Recently, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol the issue of North Korean military participation in the war alongside Russia.
Yoon Suk Yeol previously stated that South Korea "will not remain indifferent" if North Korea sends its special forces to participate in the combat operations. He also promised continued support to Ukraine in the event of an escalation of the situation.
On October 30, Western media reported that South Korea was allegedly considering directly supplying 155mm artillery shells to Ukraine. However, this information was denied by the Presidential Office of South Korea.
Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, Seoul has avoided providing military aid to Kyiv, limiting its support to non-lethal means. However, on October 31, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine intends to send South Korea a detailed request for the supply of weapons.
