They have a powerful military-industrial complex: North Korea’s actions may encourage South Korea to help Ukraine

They have a powerful military-industrial complex: North Korea's actions may encourage South Korea to help Ukraine Anzhelika Galesevich

South Korea, against the background of deepening cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, decided to reconsider its policy of neutrality regarding the war in Ukraine. The country can lift the ban on the supply of lethal assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in particular, 155 mm caliber shells and air defense systems.

Head of the Center for Military Legal Research Alexander Musienko shared his assumption with 24 Channel that South Korea has already strengthened Ukrainian military capabilities. Presumably, Seoul has joined the Czech initiative to purchase more than a million 155 and 122 mm ammunition to Ukraine.

How powerful can South Korea help Ukraine

According to Musienko, Poland can become a mediator who will help in the issue of supplies of South Korean weapons to Ukraine. Since Warsaw in the EU, perhaps, has concluded the most contracts with South Korea for the supply of several types of weapons:

• jet artillery. The country has advanced in this matter and produces similar systems to the American HIMARS systems;
• barrel artillery. The state has similar self-propelled artillery installations as the Crab self-propelled guns in Poland. Although they also contain South Korean parts;
• tanks;

< li>ammunition.

If you look at the defense-industrial complex of South Korea at all, it can now safely be included in the top five countries that are most rapidly developing their defense industry. 20 years ago, no one could have thought about this, but now they have made serious progress,” noted Alexander Musienko.

Previously, South Korea supplied lethal weapons through intermediaries. However, it is now seeking to demonstrate that its military-industrial complex is superior to the military-industrial complex of its northern neighbor. So that North Korea does not have any plans to invade the country by force.

There are different assessments by experts on the production of weapons by South Korea. For example, the production of shells can reach up to 100 – 120 thousand per month, but it can also increase. The question is what volumes can be agreed upon and who will finance them. According to Musienko, the country is now able to provide stable supplies of approximately 30 thousand ammunition to Ukraine. However, it is necessary to wait for official statements from representatives of the authorities of both states.