On April 14, it was confirmed that Ukraine, at war with Russia, originally asked the South Korean defense ministry for 150-200 items of military supplies. The items Ukraine requested included weapons of destruction as well as non-destructive military supplies. Among the items on the list was the T-80U, a Russian tank that the South Korean military imported as part of the Brown Bear Project.

The Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov asked for weapons in a phone call with Minister of National Defense Suh Wook on April 8. A military official said, “In the process of preparing for the ministerial phone call, the working-level staff at the defense ministries of the two countries adjusted the agenda,” and added, “In these discussions, the Ukrainian defense ministry requested military supplies of around 150-200 items.” The military official also said, “Among the weapons that Ukraine requested, there was a certain weapon system not disclosed to the outside and the T-80U.” This has led to speculation that the U.S. might have provided Ukraine with a list of weapons that the South Korean military could provide. Reportedly, military officials were surprised when Ukraine mentioned a certain weapon system not disclosed to the public.

Since 1996, the South Korean military imported around 30 Russian T-80U tanks as part of the Brown Bear Project, which aimed to retrieve loans with goods. Currently, the Army’s 3rd Armored Brigade operates some of the tanks and the Korea Combat Training Center (KCTC) uses ten units as the opposition tanks.

The U.S. could purchase weapons used by the South Korean military, such as the T-80U, and supply them to the Ukrainian military. In this case, the focus will be on the response by the South Korean government. The U.S. Senate recently passed the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act, which lets the country swiftly provide weapons to Ukraine. If the bill goes into effect, the U.S. will be able to send Ukraine the weapons the country needs in real time. Ukraine can borrow the weapons it needs and pay for them after the war is over.

If the South Korean government sells the U.S. weapons for Ukraine, Russia is likely to designate South Korea as an enemy and enforce strong sanctions. Also, Russia could tighten its ties with North Korea, strengthening the trilateral relationship with North Korea and China, which will have a negative impact on inter-Korean relations.

Earlier, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a video speech before the National Assembly on April 11 and asked South Korea for military equipment to stop Russian tanks, ships and missiles. The defense ministry said it could send non-destructive military supplies, such as bulletproof vests, armor plates, field rations, anesthesia machines, combat application tourniquets, and antibiotics, and refused President Zelenskyy’s request.