Ukraine to request military assistance from South Korea

A Ukrainian delegation led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov is set to visit South Korea to request military aid.

Analysts anticipate that Seoul will adopt a cautious approach to the request following Donald Trump’s election victory and Moscow’s repeated warnings against such actions, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The delegation is expected to meet with South Korean officials “as early as Wednesday” and present a wish list that includes anti-aircraft missiles and artillery, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A spokesperson for South Korea’s defense ministry declined to comment. Doo Jin-ho, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defence Analyses, pointed out that while South Korea is a global leader in conventional weapons production, it is likely to proceed cautiously on this issue.

“South Korea will listen to Ukraine’s request but is unlikely to make a clear commitment to providing weapons,” Doo said. “The government is expected to adopt a wait-and-see approach, monitoring Russia’s military cooperation with North Korea before deciding its next steps.” 

Doo added that factors such as Moscow’s threats, opposition from South Korea’s National Assembly, and the political impact of Trump’s second presidency are contributing to Seoul’s hesitation. 

At present, South Korea has limited its support for Ukraine to non-lethal aid, such as gas masks and field rations, in line with its policy of not supplying lethal weapons to countries involved in conflict. However, President Yoon Suk-yeol has recently indicated a potential shift in this stance.

Earlier, the South Korean Foreign Ministry announced that $6 million will be allocated to support the supply of Ukrainian grain to third countries in 2025.

The initiative concerns the export of Ukrainian grain, which is being carried out by the UN World Food Programme.

The ministry explains that the grain is being delivered as humanitarian aid to countries facing severe food shortages, such as Yemen and Somalia.

South Korea had previously allocated $9 million for these purposes, and next year, $6 million will be allocated. 

The funds will be transferred to the World Food Programme. Moreover, South Korea has been rendering financial and humanitarian assistance to Kyiv, supplying non-lethal military equipment but not lethal weapons.

By Naila Huseynova