Ukraine war, South Korea sends weapons to Kiev
The war in Ukraine also continues to affect the Asia-Pacific scenarios. Scenarios not favorable to China. First the end of the “Japanese sleep”, with Tokyo changing its defense strategy and approving a large increase in the military budget, fully aligning itself with the US and NATO. Now also South Korea, traditionally even more cautious due to its need to ask for mediation from Beijing for dialogue with North Korea. Still, the first official confirmation of arms shipments to Ukraine via Poland marks an important moment for Seoul and all of East Asia as a posture on the ongoing conflict. And the South Korean government also expresses its willingness to join the mechanisms of the Quad, the quadrilateral platform that unites the USA-Japan-Australia-India.
“Yes, we have approved the export of weapons to Ukraine.” The admission, the first of its kind, was from a South Korean defense official to Reuters. South Korean regulations do not provide for the shipment of weapons to countries involved in conflicts. But now the rumors are confirmed: already in 2022 licenses were granted even knowing that the final recipient was the Ukrainian army.
These are artillery systems exported to Poland and from there sent to Kiev. Same final destination, but via Washington, of about 100,000 artillery shells. South Korea is one of the fastest growing arms exporters in the world, signed its biggest military export deal last year to supply tanks and jet fighters to Poland. Warsaw also purchased artillery, ammunition and weapon components such as frames. The frames were part of the Krab howitzers, which also included components from Germany and the UK, the defense ministry said.
Last November, the Wall Street Journal reported that South Korea sold the United States artillery shells destined for Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal reported in November. The South Korean government said the negotiations took place on the premise that the United States would be the end user. The Pentagon said earlier this month that the United States was discussing buying more munitions from South Korea.
South Korea increasingly aligned with the US and NATO: tensions on the way with Kim Jong-un and China
In late January, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg asked Seoul to send military aid to Ukraine. The decision to come into the open comes after the announcement that Yoon Suk-yeol will be received at the White House on April 26. A state visit treatment will be reserved for the South Korean president, the second of the Biden era after that of Emmanuel Macron. The occasion, which will include a lavish black-suited dinner in Yoon’s honor, is set apart from other visits by world leaders by the pomp and pageantry that is orchestrated to celebrate the ties between the United States and its closest allies.
Not only. A South Korean official traveling to Washington explained that Seoul wants to participate in the mechanisms of the Quad, the security platform that unites the United States-Japan-Australia and India. South Korea to adopt ‘phased approach’ to try to gain formal participation in the Quad, pursuing “functional cooperation” by seriously participating in working groups on vaccines, climate change and new technologies, according to the official, who cited Yoon’s involvement in the presidential campaign.
The move could further raise tensions with North Korea. But also with China. “Seoul should not sacrifice its security for American ambitions,” state media from Beijing commented today. On the other hand, the war in Ukraine is certainly not helping China in its neighborhood. Japan has changed its defense strategy and approved a record increase in its military budget. Even the Philippines, after Duterte’s pro-Chinese period, has once again strengthened its defensive ties with Washington. Now Seoul’s decision to abandon the traditional caution. Predictable new tensions in East Asia, which increasingly fears the opening of a second front.
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