Stoltenberg pointed to Norway and Germany as examples. Both have rejected the long-standing policy of not exporting arms to other countries in conflict. South Korea has laws that now prevent it from supporting Ukraine with arms and ammunition. The country supplies a lot to Ukraine, but not weapons. South Korea has large stockpiles of weapons. The country has an advanced weapons industry. South Korean tanks and artillery are already in the vicinity of Ukraine. Poland has a big deal with South Korea. POWERFUL: Self-propelled artillery from South Korea. Norway has a number of these K9s. Photo: Frederik Ringnes/Forsvaret / Forsvaret Stoltenberg warns The Secretary General of NATO is in the South Korean capital Seoul. He is going on to Japan. – The two are close partners to Nato. There are no other partners who are closer to us and more capable than those two, Stoltenberg told news before departure. Stoltenberg pointed out that what happens in Europe is important for the situation in Asia. – In Beijing, it will be assessed how Nato handles the war in Ukraine, and what the outcome will be, said Stoltenberg. In Seoul, Stoltenberg repeated the message he has made a number of times in the past year. – If we don’t want autocracy and tyranny to win, the Ukrainians need weapons. This is the reality, he said in a meeting with high-ranking South Korean officials. Japanese Prime Minister Kishida recently warned that the next Ukraine could be in Asia. WANTED: South Korean soldiers ready 155mm artillery ammunition. This is ammunition that the country has in significant quantities. Photo: Jang Se-young / AP Ammunition Stoltenberg acknowledges that South Korea has already delivered significantly. Both pure financial support and humanitarian aid have come to Ukraine from South Korea. Stoltenberg nevertheless believes that the country can do more. – I am asking you to deliver military material to Ukraine. There is a crying need for special ammunition, said Stoltenberg. The road ahead for Japan to only deliver weapons directly or to Ukraine is longer than for South Korea. Japan’s pacifist constitution prevents this and is more demanding to change than South Korea’s laws. Stoltenberg will meet both Japan and South Korea’s heads of government on his trip. What Ukraine Needs The most important weapon so far in the war has proven to be artillery. The Ukrainians are increasingly using artillery the country has received donated. Stocks of ammunition for these guns have become significantly lower. The US wants to buy ammunition from South Korea to replenish its own stockpiles. Ammunition the US had stored in South Korea has already been sent to Ukraine. CONTINUED: Ukrainian firefighters work on an apartment building that was severely damaged by a Russian rocket. Kharkiv, Ukraine 29 January 2023 Photo: STRINGER / Reuters Ukraine asks for quick deliveries – The situation is very tough. There are continuous attempts to break through our defenses, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his speech late Sunday evening. He is asking for Ukraine to get more weapons and for them to be delivered quickly. – Russia wants the war to drag on and for our forces to wear out. We must use time as our weapon. Speed up supplies and open up new weapons options to Ukraine, Zelenskyy said. HUGE QUANTITIES: The first shipment of self-propelled artillery from South Korea arrives in Poland. Photo: KACPER PEMPEL / Reuters What South Korea has Poland has agreed to buy self-propelled artillery, tanks and fighter planes from South Korea. Parts of it have already been delivered. The two countries have agreed that large parts of this will be produced in Poland. It builds up Polish industry. Norway is also considering buying more from South Korea. We have already purchased self-propelled artillery from the country of the K9 type. Next could be the tank K2. South Korea undoubtedly also has large stockpiles of ammunition that match the weapons Ukraine already uses. It is a secret how big these warehouses are. For almost 70 years, South Korea has been preparing to continue the war against its neighbors in the North.
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Stoltenberg pointed to Norway when he asked South Korea to support Ukraine militarily – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
