Inside a South Korean arms factory that could supply Ukraine

In Changwon, near the large South Korean port of Busan, the Hanwha arms factory Aerospace is operating at full capacity. Workers are putting the finishing touches to a new air defense system that could eventually be used in Ukraine.

Korea South Korea has always avoided delivering weapons to active conflict zones, but that could change after South Korean intelligence suspected North Korea of ​​sending troops to help Russia in its war in Ukraine.

At the top of the list of South Korean-made equipment that Ukraine could receive is the “Cheongung” system, literally “sky arrow”, a kind of Iron Dome-type interceptor shield, manufactured at the Changwon plant that opened its doors to AFP journalists.

On the lines of South Korea's largest defense conglomerate, welders work while “Beethoven's Letter to Elise” plays in the background. Huge cylinders will be part of this defensive interceptor system from Hanwha, which also produces an attack-oriented variant.

“The Cheongung system can be considered similar to the American Patriot missile system,” explains Jung Sung-young, a manager at Hanwha Aerospace.

South Korean engineers work on a 120 mm self-propelled mortar at the Hanwha Aerospace plant in Changwon on November 21, 2024. © AFP – JUNG YEON-JE

Ukraine is dependent on Western defense systems, especially the American Patriot missiles, and has been demanding more supplies. South Korea's involvement could make a difference, experts say.

It remains to be seen whether – and how – South Korea will help Ukraine. The decision will depend on the “level of North Korea's involvement” in the conflict, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said in early November, adding that Seoul does not “rule out the possibility of sending weapons.”

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The first batch would be defensive in any case, he said.

kyiv urgently needs to strengthen its air defenses, says Han Kwon-hee of the Korea Defense Industry Association.

“They will help Ukraine repel Russian offensives by intercepting drones and missiles over their territory,” he said. A huge boost after the recent decision by the United States to allow the Ukrainian military to use long-range American missiles against targets inside Russian territory.

Launch tubes of the Cheongung surface-to-air missile system at the Hanwha Aerospace factory in Changwon on November 21, 2024 © AFP – JUNG YEON-JE

South Korea remains officially at war with North Korea since the end of hostilities in 1953, which were not concluded by a peace treaty.

Hanwha Aerospace, which has long given priority to land-based armaments, sees its production in high demand today, with arms contracts signed with Poland and Romania in particular.

The rise in geopolitical tensions in Europe is strongly benefiting the South Korean group, with operating profit up 450% in the third quarter of 2024 (July-September) to $343.3 million.

Seoul has long had ambitions to join the ranks of the world's leading arms exporters, aiming for fourth place behind the United States, Russia and France.

155mm shells have already been sold to Washington, with a clause reserving their use for the US military.

Another Hanwha product could also be used in Ukraine, according to South Korean experts, namely its Chunmoo guided missile system.

“Ukraine urgently needs offensive weapons such as Chunmoo missiles and K9 howitzers, which can inflict significant damage on the enemy, to turn the situation in its favor,” said Choi Gi-il, a professor of military studies at Sangji University.

“If North Korea's direct involvement in the war intensifies, Seoul may consider sending lethal weapons in addition to defensive weapons,” he said.

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