South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, during his meeting with Vladimir Zelenskyy on July 15, announced that his country would provide Ukraine with a significant supply of military equipment and humanitarian aid, YahooNews has reported.
At a press conference, Yoon stated that South Korea plans to deliver more extensive military supplies to Ukraine this year, building upon last year's provision of non-lethal items such as body armor and helmets.
Yoon also mentioned that South Korea intends to offer Ukraine $150 mn in humanitarian assistance this year. Furthermore, the two countries will collaborate on infrastructure projects in Kyiv, with South Korea providing concessional loans to support these initiatives.
"We discussed everything that is essential for people to live a normal and safe life," said Zelenskyy, expressing gratitude for Yoon's robust support.
Yoon's office revealed that he also visited Bucha and Irpin, small cities near the capital, where Russian soldiers have been accused of committing war crimes against civilians, a claim denied by Moscow. Earlier this week, Yoon announced that his administration is preparing to send demining equipment and ambulances to Ukraine upon their request. South Korea will also contribute to NATO's aid fund for Ukraine.
Ramon Pacheco Pardo, the Chair of the Korean Research Organization at the Brussels School of Governance, stated that Yoon's visit is significant, as few Asian leaders have visited Ukraine.
The extent to which South Korea's policy will shift towards providing greater support to Ukraine remains to be seen, added Pardo. Nonetheless, this visit demonstrates Kyiv's approval of the assistance already provided.
During their initial meeting in May, Zelenskyy requested increased military support from Yoon. The South Korean President confirmed on Saturday that since May, South Korea has delivered security equipment and the much-needed humanitarian aid, including mine detectors. The South Korean Ministry of Defense confirmed ongoing discussions regarding the export of ammunition to the United States but clarified that certain parts of the media reports about Seoul agreeing to send artillery shells to the U.S. for delivery to Ukraine were inaccurate.
In 2022, South Korea's arms sales surged to over $17 bn, up from $7.25 bn the previous year, including a significant deal worth $13.7 bn with Poland—the largest in Seoul's history—for missile systems and fighter jets. South Korean companies and entities in Ukraine and other countries signed agreements on July 14, to assist in reconstruction efforts, as stated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport in Seoul's statement.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), South Korea is a U.S. ally and the world's ninth-largest exporter of arms. However, it remains wary of Russia's influence over North Korea and resists Western pressure to directly arm Ukraine.
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