South Korea will send two K600 Rhino mine-clearing vehicles of its own production to Ukraine, the Korean daily Chosun Ilbo reported on Friday.
“The Rhino is a domestic minesweeper that either clears the rear or clears paths through a minefield on the front line. Although it is not a lethal weapon, it is the most military equipment that South Korea has sent to Ukraine so far,” the statement said.
During a bilateral meeting at the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, in May, South Korean President Yun Sook-yeol promised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to send non-lethal equipment and provide assistance in post-war reconstruction. During a visit to Ukraine in July, Yun reiterated his promise to send more mine detectors and land minesweepers.
“Recently, the government decided to send two minesweepers to Ukraine as soon as possible, in addition to the previously delivered batch of used minesweepers… This follows an urgent request and promise from President Yun Seok-yol to support Ukraine,” a government source told the newspaper on Sunday.
The government made the decision after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which the two sides are believed to have signed arms deals.
At the same time, fearing Russia’s reaction, the South Korean government will ask Ukraine to use the vehicles only for humanitarian operations, the report said.
