Ukraine to Request Military Assistance from South Korea

31 October, 2024 Soviet-made T-80U tank in service with South Korea, which was transferred by Russia. Photo credits: Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea Ukraine will officially request military assistance from South Korea.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi stated that the request will be submitted by a Ukrainian representative who will be sent to the Republic of Korea in the nearest future. "But now, after the DPRK has received the official status of a combatant against Ukraine, our request will be detailed, and it will be directed by my representative, who will come to South Korea in the near future. And we will talk about weapons," Zelenskyi said.

He clarified that he did not know how Seoul would respond to such a request. Ukraine needs additional artillery, air defense, and other classified items that have not been disclosed. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has not received weapons from South Korea.

Seoul's position on this issue began to change after North Korea sent its soldiers to Russia to help them in the war against Ukrainian defenders. In particular, last week, South Korean President Yun Seok-yol, commenting on the situation with the North Korean troops, assured that his country "will not sit idly by." He promised Ukraine appropriate support if North Korea sends its special forces to the war.

On October 30, Ukraine and South Korea agreed to intensify contacts at all levels due to the participation of North Korean troops in the war on the side of Russia.

Photo from open sources

The parties also agreed to develop an action strategy and a list of countermeasures in response to the escalation, as well as to engage joint partners in cooperation.

As part of this agreement, Ukraine and the Republic of Korea will soon exchange delegations to coordinate actions in response to North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia.