South Korea hesitates on Kiev’s plea for arms, according to reports
A Ukrainian delegation in Seoul has allegedly requested to acquire surface-to-air missiles and additional weaponry from South Korea. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The South Korean government is reportedly hesitant to approve the sale of Cheongung air defense systems to Ukraine, as doing so could conflict with current legislation, according to broadcaster SBS.
A delegation from Ukraine, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, visited Seoul on Wednesday, where he engaged in discussions with President Yoon Suk Yeol, National Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, and National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik.
SBS reported that a government source indicated Kiev's intention to negotiate the purchase of weapons from South Korean defense firms, specifically KM-SAM systems, along with radars for air defense and counter-battery operations. Additionally, they requested launching charges for 155mm shells, according to the source.
The report stated that Seoul "expressed reluctance" regarding the proposal, noting that supplying weapons to Ukraine could potentially breach the Foreign Trade Act, which limits exports to conflict zones. Following this, the Defense Ministry instructed companies not to engage in unauthorized communications.
The presidential office reportedly released a statement indicating that the meeting with Yoon was aimed at sharing intelligence on the alleged increasing military ties between Russia and North Korea, as well as discussing collaborative responses to security threats.
A report by Yonhap News Agency highlighted that Yoon mentioned Seoul might contemplate providing arms support to Kiev, depending on the level of military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.
On Thursday, Defense Minister Kim dismissed media reports as speculation, stating during a plenary session that he “did not receive any proposals” from the Ukrainian delegation regarding the acquisition of Cheongung air defense systems.
As quoted by The Korea Herald, Kim mentioned that Seoul was “responding in solidarity with the international community” in relation to aid for Ukraine, adding that he was “not supposed to give more details.”
On the same day, the Democratic Party of Korea proposed a resolution urging the Yoon administration to “end involvement” in the Ukraine conflict. Lawmakers had also previously threatened to impeach the defense minister if any weapons were supplied to Kiev.
On Wednesday, South Korean activists and political groups organized protests against the potential arms sales to Kiev, arguing that such actions would only exacerbate tensions on the peninsula.
US President-elect Donald Trump, during his campaign, pledged to terminate the Ukraine conflict but has yet to outline a specific plan for addressing the crisis.
Moscow has repeatedly cautioned that supplying arms to Ukraine would jeopardize the diplomatic relationship with Seoul.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
A delegation from Ukraine, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, visited Seoul on Wednesday, where he engaged in discussions with President Yoon Suk Yeol, National Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, and National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik.
SBS reported that a government source indicated Kiev's intention to negotiate the purchase of weapons from South Korean defense firms, specifically KM-SAM systems, along with radars for air defense and counter-battery operations. Additionally, they requested launching charges for 155mm shells, according to the source.
The report stated that Seoul "expressed reluctance" regarding the proposal, noting that supplying weapons to Ukraine could potentially breach the Foreign Trade Act, which limits exports to conflict zones. Following this, the Defense Ministry instructed companies not to engage in unauthorized communications.
The presidential office reportedly released a statement indicating that the meeting with Yoon was aimed at sharing intelligence on the alleged increasing military ties between Russia and North Korea, as well as discussing collaborative responses to security threats.
A report by Yonhap News Agency highlighted that Yoon mentioned Seoul might contemplate providing arms support to Kiev, depending on the level of military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.
On Thursday, Defense Minister Kim dismissed media reports as speculation, stating during a plenary session that he “did not receive any proposals” from the Ukrainian delegation regarding the acquisition of Cheongung air defense systems.
As quoted by The Korea Herald, Kim mentioned that Seoul was “responding in solidarity with the international community” in relation to aid for Ukraine, adding that he was “not supposed to give more details.”
On the same day, the Democratic Party of Korea proposed a resolution urging the Yoon administration to “end involvement” in the Ukraine conflict. Lawmakers had also previously threatened to impeach the defense minister if any weapons were supplied to Kiev.
On Wednesday, South Korean activists and political groups organized protests against the potential arms sales to Kiev, arguing that such actions would only exacerbate tensions on the peninsula.
US President-elect Donald Trump, during his campaign, pledged to terminate the Ukraine conflict but has yet to outline a specific plan for addressing the crisis.
Moscow has repeatedly cautioned that supplying arms to Ukraine would jeopardize the diplomatic relationship with Seoul.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
