Polish Ministry of Defense “exported self-propelled artillery to Ukraine after receiving Korean approval”

The Polish Ministry of Defense announced that it had exported self-propelled howitzers with Korean parts to Ukraine after receiving approval from the Korean government. This is the first time that South Korean weapon parts have been confirmed to have been supplied to Ukraine during the war, albeit indirectly. Reporter Jo Eun-jeong reports.

The Polish Ministry of Defense said on the 9th that it exported after obtaining approval from the Korean government in response to a written query by VOA asking if it had delivered self-propelled howitzers with Korean parts to Ukraine.

[폴란드 국방부] “We would like to confirm that South Korea approved the re-export before transfer of the systems to Ukraine as such approval is a prerequisite.”

The Polish Ministry of Defense said, “Before transferring the weapon system to Ukraine, we confirm that Korea has approved the re-export,” adding, “Because such approval must precede.”

Earlier, Reuters reported on the 8th, citing an official from the Korea Defense Acquisition Program Administration, that the Korean government had decided to approve exports to Poland after reviewing related documents and possible problems.

This transaction is attracting attention as an example of the Korean government’s approval of the indirect supply of weapon parts to Ukraine, which is at war with Russia.

In response, the South Korean Ministry of National Defense is in the position that the Krabs self-propelled howitzers sent to Ukraine by Poland were produced in Poland with support from Korea, Britain, and Germany, and South Korea only supplied the body.

Meanwhile, the Polish Ministry of Defense highly praised defense industry cooperation with South Korea.

[폴란드 국방부] “We also confirm that the South Korean weapon systems acquired by the Polish Armed Forces are among the most modern technological solutions in their classes. What is more, foreign contracts, including those with South Korea, among others, are a huge opportunity for our industry.”

The Polish Ministry of Defense said, “The Korean weapons systems acquired by the Polish Armed Forces are among the most modern in their class. Contracts with Korea and other countries offer great opportunities for our industry.”

While the South Korean government does not provide lethal weapons to Ukraine and bans the resale of weapons exported to other countries so that they do not flow into Ukraine, Ukraine is repeatedly requesting support for weapons made in Korea.

In addition, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also urged South Korea’s arms support for Ukraine during his visit to Korea in January.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned in October of last year that if South Korea supplied weapons to Ukraine, relations between Korea and Russia would collapse.

This is Cho Eun-jung from VOA News.