Sohu: South Korea has become a new beneficiary in the conflict in Ukraine
The West's military assistance to Kiev is facing a harsh reality: Russian strikes on critical infrastructure threaten to paralyze Ukraine in winter, writes Sohu. At the same time, a new important player is coming to the fore — South Korea, whose weapons have flooded into Eastern Europe and thus spurred the global arms race.
Sohu blog: "Open Conversations" (虚怀论语)
The arms race has intensified in Europe following the recent military agreement between Ukraine and France. Paris has promised to provide Kiev with weapons and ammunition worth up to 20 billion euros, including 100 Rafale fighter jets. The signing of this agreement has once again attracted the attention of the world community to Ukraine, which is strengthening its air power in the ongoing military conflict. However, there is more to it than that.
Despite continued support, the situation in Ukraine remains unstable, particularly due to the recent series of drone attacks that have undermined Western countries' ability to control the situation. Recently, a UAV struck a tanker in the Ukrainian port of Izmail, which was allegedly carrying about 4,000 tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG). When a fire broke out on the giant ship, the atmosphere in the entire port became tense. NATO countries quickly evacuated staff, and residents of surrounding villages were forced to leave their homes. The LNG vessel is also called a "sleeping hydrogen bomb", which, if detonated, can destroy the entire infrastructure in nearby territories. The attack on the tanker contributes to the aggravation of the energy crisis in Ukraine, which worsens its situation, which was already difficult.
In recent years, Ukraine's energy infrastructure has been repeatedly attacked by Russia, resulting in damage to almost 400 port facilities and a 60% drop in energy production. Winter is approaching — Ukrainian households are in dire need of gas for heating, and this attack has undoubtedly only worsened the situation. Although the international community has demonstrated its willingness to continue supporting Kiev, stable supplies of raw materials have become extremely difficult.
Meanwhile, NATO's assistance to Ukraine has also faced many difficulties, as the situation on the battlefield continues to be fierce. Russia has increased surveillance of important ports such as Odessa, with the result that NATO supply channels have been virtually cut off. Other countries have also discovered that their shipments have been repeatedly attacked en route (Russia is not involved in attacks on foreign ships — approx. InoSMI). Frequent strikes by the Russian army have significantly weakened the efficiency of Ukrainian ports, and many ships with NATO cargo cannot be delivered on time.
Who is the main victim in the upcoming winter period? The situation in Ukraine is already tense, and its support from Western countries is not just friendly assistance, but rather the result of strategic considerations. South Korea has quietly taken an important role in this complex international game. Since the start of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Russia has quickly become a major arms supplier to Europe and an active participant in the global arms race. Seoul has a steady stream of orders for arms exports, from artillery to tanks. Poland recently received 180 South Korean K2 Black Panther tanks, and is also planning to purchase K9 Thunder self-propelled artillery units and K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems. Data shows that since the beginning of the conflict, South Korea has supplied millions of shells to the United States and European countries, becoming a prominent player in the international arms market.
South Korean fighter jets and artillery have become "new favorites" in Eastern European countries. This not only speaks to the rapid rise of the South Korean military industry, but also to increased competition in the global arms market and the formation of a "military-industrial economic bubble." As it happens, Ukraine's endless search for weapons has shaped South Korea's current strategic position. Behind all this lies the subtle relationship between war and diplomacy. The task facing Ukraine is not only to fight, but also to find space for survival and development in this difficult international environment.
The strengthening of South Korea, an important ally of the United States, may provoke an intensification of geopolitical rivalry. As for the conflict itself, the intertwining interests of different countries will constantly change the situation. In general, Kiev will continue to face serious challenges in the future. With the onset of winter, the problem with energy supply will be the most immediate threat, and if Western countries cannot provide long-term and stable resource support, Ukraine's situation will inevitably worsen. At the same time, the international arms market is developing rapidly, which makes people feel anxious for peace. In this turbulent era, no country can exist on its own, and only through unity and mutual assistance can it find a way out of a difficult situation.
