Ukraine Urges South Korea to Step Up Military Support
Ukraine is pressing South Korea to expand direct defense assistance as North Korea deepens its military support for Russia.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Seoul to provide additional air-defense capabilities to help Ukraine counter Russian missile and drone attacks, including attacks involving North Korean-supplied ballistic missiles.
Ukraine is also seeking deeper cooperation with South Korea in drone technology, including potential technology exchanges and joint development or production.
The appeal comes as Kyiv faces growing pressure from Russia’s expanding missile and drone campaign, while North Korea is reportedly increasing its military contribution to Moscow.
For South Korea, the issue is particularly sensitive: providing advanced air-defense systems to Ukraine would directly place Seoul on the opposite side of a conflict involving North Korea’s military support for Russia. South Korean officials have maintained a cautious position, stressing that any transfer of defense equipment must comply with domestic law.
The situation is creating a new strategic triangle — North Korea supplying Russia, Ukraine seeking South Korean defenses, and Seoul being pushed to respond to weapons originating from Pyongyang.