On the outskirts of an industrial city in South Korea, workers at a sprawling weapons factory were conducting final-stage tests for a newly built surface-to-air defense system that could eventually go to Ukraine.
Seoul’s long-standing domestic policy prohibits sending weapons to active conflict zones, but after its spy agency last month accused the nuclear-armed North of sending thousands of troops to help Moscow fight Kyiv, South Korea has warned it could change course.
If so, likely topping Ukraine’s list would be the “Cheongung” or Sky Arrow air defense system, a home-produced Iron Dome-style interceptor shield seen by AFP on an exclusive tour of the Hanwha Aerospace factory on Thursday. The southern city of Changwon.
While the melody of Beethoven’s Fur Elise played over the house speakers, the veteran welders worked on the giant cylinders that will be part of the inceptor system, defensive in nature, although Hanwha produces an offensive-oriented variant.
“The Cheongung system can be thought of as similar to the US Patriot missile system,” said Jung Sung-young, senior director of Hanwha Aerospace, South Korea’s largest defense contractor.
Ukraine relies on Western air defense systems, particularly Patriots, to protect it from Russian missile attacks, and has requested more shipments.
Washington said in June it would prioritize shipments to Kiev ahead of other countries that have made requests.
But the involvement of South Korea, which remains at war with the technically armed North and has maintained arms production long shunned by Western arms industries, could make a big difference, experts say.
“As a divided nation, we have systematically established and implemented standards at the national level, from the development of these weapons systems to quality control,” Jung said.
“Our product quality, capability and manufacturing supply chain is competitive enough compared to other countries,” he added.
Whether or not South Korea decides to help Ukraine directly depends on “North Korea’s level of involvement,” President Yoon Suk Yeol said earlier this month, adding that Seoul “does not rule out the possibility of providing weapons.”
If South Korea were to supply the weapons, the initial batch would be defensive in nature, Yoon said.
ready to fight
Kyiv urgently needs more air defenses to counter the ongoing missile attacks targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and civilian areas, Han Kwon-hee of the Korea Defense Industry Association told AFP.
“Counterattacks require stability in the rear areas, which is why Kiev has also carried out drone attacks in Russia, including Moscow,” Han explained.
“They will help Ukraine stop Russian attacks by intercepting drones and missiles flying over their territory,” he said, a big boost for Kyiv, along with the recent US move to allow American long-range missiles to be used against targets inside Russia.
The South has been ready for battle since the 1950-53 war with the North ended in a truce, and Hanwha Aerospace, South Korea’s biggest defense contractor, though analysts saw it as backward because of its focus on ground weapons, is now there. high demand
AFP saw a wide range of weapons moving along assembly lines at the company’s sprawling Changwon factory, from armored infantry vehicles to surface-to-air missile systems to intercept incoming missiles.
Heightened geopolitical tensions in Europe have benefited the South Korean company, which saw its annual operating profit rise more than 450 percent last quarter to $343.3 million.
It has signed major arms deals with countries like Poland and Romania, including the export of K9 howitzers and Chunmoo missile systems.
Arms exports
Seoul has long had ambitions to join the list of the world’s top arms exporters – aiming to become the fourth largest, behind the US, Russia and France – something that is now possible, according to industry research.
It has already sold 155 mm artillery shells to Washington, but with the “end user” agreement in place, the United States would be the military using the munitions.
Experts say this will allow the United States to give its shells to Kyiv.
Another weapons offering by Hanwha that could change the balance of the war in Ukraine is Chunmoo’s guided missile system, experts say.
“With a range of up to 290 km (180 miles), the Chunmoo can hit targets in Pyongyang if fired from the Southern border area,” said Choi Gi-il, a professor of military studies at Sangji University.
“What Ukraine urgently needs to turn to war is offensive weapons like Chunmoo missiles and K9 shells, capable of inflicting heavy damage on the enemy,” added Choi.
“If North Korea’s direct involvement in the war increases, (Seoul) may consider sending lethal weapons in addition to defense.”
