PoliticsWar South Korea decline to sell arms to Ukraine; Netherlands provides additional Patriot launchers. Friday, November 29, 2024

Seoul has rejected a Ukrainian delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov that sought to purchase South Korean weapons. The delegation met with President Yoon Suk-yeol and the South Korean defense minister. The weapons that Ukraine has been requesting are non-lethal weapons, such as the Cheongung interceptor system, a local air defense radar, and an anti-artillery radar. There was also a request for 155-caliber artillery shells. Sources said that South Korean companies have also received a request for arms sales, but the Defense Ministry has told Ukraine to refrain from contacting companies individually. The government sees difficulties in exporting weapons to Ukraine due to the high risk of violating foreign trade laws, which restrict exports to combat zones. Meanwhile, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said his country had delivered three Patriot anti-aircraft missile launchers to Ukraine. He added, “it was and remains in our common interest to stop Russian aggression.”