Is South Korea’s rejection of Ukraine’s weapons request due to Trump, public objection?

Ukraine has long sought to acquire air defence missiles and artillery shells from South Korea, which is wary of doing so due to its laws

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Rows of mock 30mm shells seen at Hanwha Aerospace factory in Changwon, South Korea. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:00am, 3 Dec 2024

A Ukrainian special envoy has returned home with limited success after failing to secure South Korea’s commitment to provide weapons, as Seoul remains cautious amid geopolitical uncertainties surrounding a second Donald Trump administration.

Last Wednesday, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov led a Ukrainian delegation to Seoul, where they met South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik and Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun.

While both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in monitoring North Korea’s military ties with Russia – including troop movements related to the war in Ukraine and technology exchanges – Ukraine’s request for weaponry remained unmet.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal noted on Friday that South Korea had provided US$100 million in aid, marking the first instance of such support. This follows a US$2.1 billion concessional loan agreement signed in April, set to be disbursed to Ukraine between 2024 and 2029.

Despite these developments, South Korea has yet to respond to Kyiv’s long-standing requests for air defence missiles, artillery shells and other weapons.

Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov (left) arrives at South Korea’s defence ministry in Seoul on Wednesday. Photo: AP

“It’s not the first time Ukraine has expressed its wish to purchase South Korea’s Cheongung anti-air missiles and 155-millimetre artillery shells,” a source familiar with the matter told This Week in Asia.