'Poland could re-export South Korean weapons to Ukraine with both gov'ts' permissions'Posted : 2023-03-09 10:43Updated : 2023-03-10 11:41

• Published date: 09 March 2023
• Publication title: The Korea Times

A year ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his unjustified and brutal invasion of Ukraine. The United States and its top European allies including Germany, the U.K. and Poland reacted quickly by providing a high level of security assistance to Kyiv.

South Korean defense companies have so far benefited from an explosive demand for military equipment and arms. In 2022, South Korea's arms exports reached $17.3 billion, up from $7.25 billion a year ago, according to data provided by Korea Eximbank. The Yoon Suk Yeol government aims to make South Korea become one of the world's top four arms exporters by 2027.

What is noteworthy is that the country's recent arms deal with Poland amounted to $12.4 billion, followed by a $1.7 billion deal with Egypt.

According to the agreement signed by Seoul and Warsaw, the second shipment of K2 main battle tanks and K9 self-propelled howitzers will arrive in Poland by the first half of this year.

The Polish government also purchased South Korean FA-50 jets and Chunmoo multiple-launch rocket systems. Two leading South Korean defense companies ? Hyundai Rotem and Hanwha Aerospace ? are also in talks with the Romanian government to export advanced battle tanks to the eastern European country. But representatives of the companies declined to comment citing the sensitivity of the issue.

Despite South Korea inking a series of major weapons deals with the Poland and Egypt, Seoul is still reluctant to provide lethal aid to Ukraine as current domestic laws that regulate the provision of arms to war zones make it harder to obtain approvals for direct sales or donation of weapons to Kyiv. So far, Seoul has sent several batches of non-lethal military equipment and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Since the beginning of Russia's invasion a year ago, Ukraine has been consistent in asking South Korea to provide lethal aid. Now, Seoul is pressured to do more to help Kyiv as Moscow's offensive pushes further into eastern Ukraine with the U.S.' major western allies struggling to provide enough light weapons.

Speaking to The Korea Times, a former White House National Security Council (NSC) official said it is possible for Poland to re-export South Korean weapons to Ukraine if both the Korean and Polish governments agree to do so.

"Poland could, of course, re-export some equipment to Ukraine, if this is permitted by the agreement that Warsaw and Seoul signed governing the terms of the arms deal. But it is worth remembering that many of the K2 and...