Umerov to visit South Korea with request to supply weapons to Ukraine, – media

Umerov to visit South Korea to request arms supplies to Ukraine, – media Sofia Khushvakhtova

The Ukrainian Defense Minister will travel to South Korea on a mission to provide military support. In particular, this concerns the supply of weapons and armaments to fight Russia.

A Ukrainian delegation headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov plans to visit South Korea with a request for weapons supplies, in particular air defense missiles and artillery. This was reported by 24 Kanal, citing the South China Morning Post.

What is known about South Korea's attitude toward Ukraine

Experts expect Seoul to be cautious in its response to the request, given political factors including Donald Trump's election victory and Moscow's warnings against such actions. The delegation planned to meet with their South Korean counterparts “at least until Wednesday.”

South Korea will listen to Ukraine's request, but is unlikely to make a clear commitment to arms supplies, said Doo Jin-ho, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses.

South Korea has so far limited its aid to Ukraine to non-combat equipment such as protective masks and field kits. However, the country's president, Yoon Seok-yul, recently signaled that he may reconsider his position and consider providing weapons, starting with defensive items. This decision will also depend on how Russia’s relations with North Korea develop.

Internal contradictions in South Korea, in particular opposition resistance, could complicate the government’s decision on military aid to Ukraine. Opposition MPs even threatened to impeach the Minister of Defense if military aid was provided to Ukraine, citing legal restrictions. Therefore, the government will likely take a cautious approach and closely monitor developments, in particular the interaction between Russia and North Korea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also said that Ukraine would make a detailed request for weapons supplies, which would include artillery and air defense systems. South Korea has advanced technologies in these areas, making it an important potential supplier for Ukraine. However, internal resistance in the country remains a serious obstacle to such supplies.