After a children’s hospital in Ukraine was destroyed by a missile attack in Russia, the Ukrainian Ambassador to South Korea, Dmytro Ponomarenko, appealed to South Korea to provide air defense systems to support Kiev’s defense against Russia.
In a post on social media platform X on Thursday (July 11), Ponomarenko stated, “Given the continuous attacks by Russia on civilians and critical infrastructure, we need to protect ourselves from missile and drone strikes. If South Korean authorities are not yet prepared to provide offensive weapons, we would greatly appreciate receiving air defense systems.”
Ponomarenko mentioned in the post that he made the above remarks during an interview with Nikkei Asia.
Describing the attack on the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kiev on Monday (July 8) as “another barbaric and terrifying act” by Russia.
According to reports, Russia launched dozens of missiles across Ukraine on Monday, resulting in at least 36 deaths, over 150 injuries, and the destruction of a children’s hospital in Kyiv.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainian authorities have been trying to persuade South Korea to utilize its advanced weapons manufacturing capabilities to provide much-needed ammunition and other forms of defense equipment. The Ambassador’s statement is the latest development in Ukraine’s ongoing efforts.
South Korea’s long-standing policy prohibits weapon manufacturers from exporting weapons to conflict zones. However, Ponomarenko stated that they are in communication with the South Korean government to reach an agreement on providing weapons but refused to disclose specific details.
Last month, the South Korean government made a significant policy change due to Russia’s and North Korea’s military alliance.
On June 19, Russia and North Korea signed a strategic cooperation treaty, elevating their relationship to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.” The treaty includes mutual commitments to provide military assistance immediately if one party is attacked.
The day after North Korea and Russia signed this treaty, the South Korean government announced that it would reconsider its position on providing weapons to Ukraine.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Chang Ho-jin, national security adviser to South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, stated at a press conference held at the presidential Blue House on June 20, “We plan to reconsider the issue of supporting Ukraine with weapons.”
South Korea is becoming an increasingly prominent arms exporter and possesses a well-equipped military with support from the United States.
Earlier this year, the South Korean Defense Ministry announced a $3.2 billion deal to export 10 sets of the ballistic missile interception system called “M-SAM2” (Korean Patriot Missile) to Saudi Arabia.
The “M-SAM2,” developed and produced by South Korean defense company LIG Nex1, is a medium-range, medium-altitude air defense missile that forms a crucial part of South Korea’s Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system to counter North Korean ballistic missiles, with a price tag of up to 1.5 billion Korean won per missile.
The Yoon Suk-yeol administration condemned Russia’s invasion and provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including military supplies such as helmets and bulletproof vests. In August last year, South Korea pledged to provide 520 billion Korean won (approximately $377 million) in financial aid this year, eight times more than the previous year.
President Yoon Suk-yeol is currently attending the NATO summit in Washington this week. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated on Wednesday (July 10) that NATO member countries are expected to announce a “substantive” package of support for Ukraine at the Washington summit.
He said, “We have been looking for unconventional solutions and ideas to help us find a way of cooperation that is acceptable to both sides.” However, he declined to disclose specific details, stating that “such information could affect the positive outcome.”