Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on the 24th (local time), “It would be positive if South Korean weapons were provided.” It is interpreted that President Zelensky expressed his anticipation for this, as the US requested the purchase of additional Korean shells to be used to support Ukraine, which is at war with Russia, and the South Korean government decided to export tens of thousands of additional 155mm shells to the US. do. In addition, the international community’s interest in the Korean government’s participation in post-war reconstruction projects in Ukraine is growing.
President Zelensky said at a press conference held on the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine that day, “There are details under discussion with other countries about this wonderful country,” regarding the possibility of supporting Korean weapons, and “through this (Korea) opportunity to support Ukraine, I hope you can find it,” he said. This is the answer to a question about the recent request of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg to the South Korean government for arms support.
Analysts say that President Zelensky’s remarks are referring to the ongoing negotiations between South Korea and the United States to export shells. At the request of the US government, the South Korean government has in effect set a policy of exporting additional shells and is negotiating with the US. In the case of an agreement on exporting shells, it is known that there is a high possibility that it will be a method of supplying the existing shells of the US military to Ukraine and then filling the shortfall with Korean shells rather than sending the shells to Ukraine immediately. It is a kind of ‘bypass support’.
President Zelensky said at the press conference that day, “Discussions are underway to invite the Korean leadership to Ukraine,” adding, “We are also pursuing a visit to Korea by the Ukrainian Prime Minister.” He emphasized his will to strengthen cooperation with Korea, saying, “I am very interested in the relationship between the two countries.”
However, the South Korean government is cautious about President Zelensky’s statement that he is discussing inviting the Korean leadership to Ukraine. An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “It is difficult to disclose the discussions between the two countries.”
The plan for the Korean government to support reconstruction projects in Ukraine after the end of the war is also being discussed. According to the ROK-US Combined Forces Command on the 26th, a video conference was held at Camp Humphreys (US base in Pyeongtaek) to discuss civil-military operations with the Ukrainian military in the presence of the Ukrainian embassy, ROK-US military authorities, and related organizations. Civil-military operations refer to civil-military operations such as humanitarian activities carried out by the military against civilians during wartime and peacetime. The Ukrainian military participated in the conference by connecting via video.
In this regard, the CFC side dismissed the possibility that the South Korean military or USFK would immediately support or be involved in civil-military operations in Ukraine, saying, “The seminar was designed to understand the local civil-military operations environment from Ukraine and learn lessons from civil-military operations in wartime.”
However, some observers say that the conference was a place to consider the possibility of dispatching troops to support reconstruction of Ukraine after the end of the war. It is known that the South Korean government’s consideration of exporting shells to the U.S. to aid Ukraine was also under consideration of participation in post-war reconstruction projects. Multiple government officials said, “At the request of Ukraine and Western countries to participate, the Korean government is also participating in international conferences related to the reconstruction of Ukraine and making a voice, but at present we are watching the situation until the end of the war.”
Earlier, in a joint interview with The Dong-A Ilbo and Channel A on the 13th, First Lady Olena Zelenska, wife of President Zelensky, said, “Korea’s experience of reconstruction after the Korean War will be a very valuable experience for Ukraine.” I want to share my experience of growing up.”
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Yoon Sang-ho, military reporter [email protected]
Excited
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.