Sikorski: We hope that South Korea will increase its aid to Ukraine

During a joint press conference with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, Sikorski suggested that Seoul should aim to increase its support for Kyiv.

“North Korean soldiers, in large numbers, have not yet reached the (Ukrainian - ed.) front. According to our information, they are still in the Far East. I hope South Korea will draw conclusions from this and will want to increase its aid to Ukraine,” Sikorski added in response to the Defence24 journalist.

It is worth noting that, to date, the Republic of Korea has not provided lethal aid to Kyiv. Instead, it has offered humanitarian and economic assistance, as well as ammunition supplies to the U.S. to replenish American stockpiles, which have been diminished due to deliveries to Ukraine.

Seoul has a well-developed defence industry. One of the largest recipients of South Korean equipment is Poland, which has acquired K2 tanks, K9 howitzers, Chunmoo/Homar-K launchers, and FA-50/FA-50PL aircraft, partially to quickly replenish the gaps created by equipment donations to Ukraine.

Currently, there is a debate in the Republic of Korea about the possibility of increasing support for Ukraine in response to Moscow’s actions. The range of technically feasible actions is wide, as Seoul has large ammunition reserves, a robust defence industry, and small reserves of Soviet-era equipment, such as T-80U tanks, BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, and Igla anti-aircraft systems. However, political decisions are required to initiate equipment deliveries. It’s worth adding that Polish President Andrzej Duda is currently in South Korea, and aid to Ukraine will be one of the topics of discussion.

North Korea has already supplied Russia with several million artillery shells and KN-23 ballistic missiles.