Reuters reported on the 8th (local time), citing an official from the Korea Defense Acquisition Program Administration, that the South Korean government approved the export of Krab self-propelled howitzers from Poland to Ukraine last year.
According to the report, an official from the DAPA told the news agency, “After reviewing all the documents and possible problems, we have decided to authorize the export to Poland.”
“This is the first time that South Korea has officially confirmed that it has approved, albeit indirectly, the provision of weapon parts to Ukraine, which is at war with Russia,” the news agency explained.
The Krap self-propelled howitzer, produced by Polish state-run defense company HSW (Huta Stalowa Wola), uses the body of the ‘K9’ self-propelled howitzer developed by Hanwha Defense, a Korean company, in a British-made turret. Poland tried to develop the Krap by importing British self-propelled artillery technology. However, when firing shells, the previously combined body had a problem of cracking, and to solve this problem, the body of the K9 self-propelled howitzer was combined.
Kraf self-propelled howitzer operated by the Ukrainian army.War in Ukraine with English Subtitles Youtube Capture
Since the outbreak of war in February last year, Poland has sent 18 Kraf self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, and has since signed contracts to supply dozens more. Accordingly, it is interpreted that the Korean government indirectly granted export permission to Ukraine in relation to the self-propelled gun body.
The news agency said, “Russia accused South Korea of providing weapons to Ukraine, and President Seok-Yeol Yoon has denied this.” It has grown,” he explained.
In an interview with a Western diplomatic source in Korea, the news agency explained, “We clearly think that South Korea needs to do more, and we have regularly communicated these thoughts to the Yoon government.”
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.