The South Korean government is reportedly considering providing military aid to Ukraine, including ammunition and lethal weapons, in response to Russia’s deployment of North Korean troops. The shift reflects the need for stronger measures as North Korea deepens its involvement in the conflict.
On Oct. 21, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Russian Ambassador to Seoul Georgy Zinovyev, warning that any actions threatening South Korea’s core security interests would be met with “all available means,” in cooperation with the international community.
The Ministry of National Defense also condemned North Korea’s deployment of special forces to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “North Korea’s participation in Russia’s aggressive war violates UN resolutions and is an illegal act that deserves international condemnation,” Defense Ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyu said.
When asked whether South Korea is considering supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine, Jeon said, “We are keeping all options open and will review necessary measures.”
President Yoon Suk-yeol previously indicated that South Korea’s aid to Ukraine would depend on the extent of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including weapon deals and technology transfers. Reports suggest that the government is evaluating several possibilities, such as troop dispatches and lethal weapons support. Ukraine has requested a range of defense systems, including ballistic missile countermeasures, 155mm artillery shells, and drones.
One of Ukraine’s key requests is the KM-SAM Block 2, a medium-range surface-to-air missile system known as the “Korean Patriot.” With frequent missile strikes and air raid alerts, Ukraine urgently needs air defense systems. South Korea is among the few nations—alongside the U.S., Israel, China, and Russia—capable of producing advanced missile and aircraft interception systems.
South Korean military experts recommend a phased approach, starting with defensive weapons like the KM-SAM Block 2, before moving toward lethal arms. However, current production commitments to countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq could limit immediate availability. Other possible options include the KM-SAM Block 1 and KP-SAM (Chiron), both air defense systems.
Drones are also under consideration, including jamming-capable and jamming-resistant models, which Ukraine requested during a visit earlier this year. Additionally, South Korea may supply portable anti-drone guns to counter enemy drones.
Should South Korea proceed with lethal weapons support, it could provide the K2 Black Panther tank, K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer, K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher, and the KTSSM (Korean Tactical Surface-to-Surface Missile). Both the K2 and K9 systems have already been delivered to the South Korean military, and additional units could be produced quickly if approved. South Korea has also lent 500,000 rounds of 155mm ammunition to the U.S., which were routed to Ukraine.
Directly supplying ammunition to Ukraine could become more feasible if North Korean troops are deployed. The KTSSM, with a range of around 180 kilometers, may be provided without violating the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). However, longer-range systems like the Hyunmoo-5 would likely face restrictions.
The South Korean government is also considering sending small teams of specialists, including intelligence and tactical experts, to monitor the situation and respond to North Korea’s increased involvement. These deployments would not constitute a full-scale military operation and thus would not require parliamentary approval.
Discussions are underway about dispatching South Korean F-16 instructors to train Ukrainian pilots or hosting Ukrainian pilots in South Korea. Despite receiving F-16 fighter jets from Western allies in August, Ukraine faces a shortage of trained pilots. A South Korean official suggested that, similar to the training provided on K9 howitzers, instructing Ukrainian pilots on F-16 operations could be a valuable contribution.