SEOUL–A high-level Ukrainian delegation, spearheaded by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, has arrived in South Korea to formally request military aid in the form of advanced weaponry, marking a significant escalation in Kyiv’s efforts to bolster its defenses against Russian aggression.
The Ukrainian delegation engaged in high-stakes discussions with Shin Won-sik, South Korea’s National Security Adviser, to exchange views on the rapidly evolving conflict landscape in Ukraine, as reported by the DongA Ilbo newspaper on Wednesday, although the source of the information has not been disclosed.
Citing a well-placed source, the South China Morning Post revealed earlier this week that Ukraine’s diplomatic mission was set to arrive in Seoul with a pressing plea for military assistance to counter the Russian onslaught.
According to insiders with knowledge of the matter, the Ukrainian delegation is slated to hold a crucial meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol as early as Wednesday, as reported by the Yonhap news agency, signaling a deepening involvement by Seoul in the crisis.
During a recent interview with South Korean broadcaster KBS in October, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy outlined Kyiv’s detailed request to Seoul for comprehensive arms support, encompassing cutting-edge artillery systems, sophisticated air defense mechanisms, and crucial military hardware.
Ukrainian media outlets, referencing a video of a high-level conference involving Defense Minister Umerov and representatives from key Western powers, including Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland, revealed that participants meticulously examined Ukraine’s most pressing defense needs amidst intensified Russian hostilities.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry underscored the paramount importance of acquiring advanced air defense systems in response to Moscow’s unrelenting campaign of aerial bombardment, coupled with extensive demands for artillery ammunition, as underscored by Umerov during the strategic gathering.
As a rising giant in the global arms industry, Seoul has come under sustained pressure from Western countries and Kyiv to pivot from its existing non-lethal assistance – which has centered on demining equipment – to more concrete military aid, but its stance remains cautious, with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul recently indicating that all possible avenues are under consideration.
