A high-level Ukrainian group headed by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov is now in Seoul looking for military back-up (as reported by several news outlets)
The team met with South Koreas National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik to talk about the Ukraine-Russia situation; theyʼre also set to meet with President Yoon Suk Yeol. However both the presidents office and defence ministry dont confirm these meet-ups
Last month Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Korean TV that Ukraine needs specific help: air-defence systems and artillery. During a recent meet-up with European defence leaders Umerov pointed out that Ukraine needs better air-defence to protect its buildings from Russian attacks
South Korea – which is now a big-time weapons maker – has been giving Ukraine only non-fighting stuff like mine-clearing tools. But Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul says theyʼre re-thinking this because of North Korea giving stuff to Russia; theyre watching what Pyongyang gets back from Moscow
- Mine-clearing equipment
- Non-lethal support items
- Technical assistance
- Humanitarian aid packages
The whole thing gets more complex because of North Korea: Seoul might change its mind about sending weapons to Ukraine – its watching how deep North Korea-Russia ties go