South Korea Indirectly Supports Ukraine with More 155mm Shells than All of Europe Combined

On November 30 (local time), the Ukrainian military is seen riding a German Leopard tank on the outskirts of Kyiv./AFP Yonhap News

South Korea has indirectly supported Ukraine by supplying more 155mm artillery shells than all European countries combined, according to the Washington Post (WP) on December 4 (local time).

They introduced the process in which the U.S. government requested 155mm shells from South Korea as Ukraine prepared to counterattack earlier this year.

At a Ukraine counterattack-related meeting chaired by Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, on February 3, the issue of securing 155mm shells emerged as a significant task.

The U.S. Department of Defense estimated that Ukraine needed 90,000 shells per month to respond to Russia’s attacks. However, the amount of shells that could be procured in the U.S. was only one-tenth of Ukraine’s demand.

Amidst these geopolitical dynamics, South Korea has emerged as a key alternative for the United States regarding ammunition supply. The U.S. Department of Defense has estimated that with cooperation from South Korea, they could facilitate the transportation of approximately 330,000 155mm shells within 41 days. 

However, by law, South Korea prohibits the supply of weapons to conflict areas. Hence, the U.S. Department of Defense consulted with South Korean authorities to make it possible through “indirect support.”

According to a report from the Washington Post, South Korea accepted an indirect support plan and commenced the transportation of shells at the start of this year. The report indicated that South Korea has now become a nation that supplies more shells to Ukraine than all European countries combined.

It is unclear whether the shells transported from South Korea were immediately used on the Ukrainian battlefield or whether the U.S. filled its own arsenal with shells from South Korea and supplied the shells they already had to Ukraine.

In addition, WP did not disclose the exact quantity of shells transported from South Korea.

By. Seon Miri