South Korea’s military support for Ukraine tied to Trump’s defense policy - Defense Express

He shared this information on Espreso TV.

“In my view, South Korea is waiting for Trump's reaction, particularly regarding the U.S. stance on global security architecture. This isn't just about whether Trump will support Ukraine - it’s about his overall approach to global issues, including Ukraine. Ultimately, South Korea’s security is heavily reliant on the United States, whose troops are currently stationed in the country,” the military expert explained.

In his opinion, if Trump shifts the U.S. global defense policy and abandons Ukraine, South Korea may start to question whether it could be next. This uncertainty could affect their willingness to transfer weapons. If the U.S. withdraws its support, South Korea will be left to deal with North Korea alone.

“As a result, South Korea cannot be fully confident or prepared to provide assistance to others. I believe this is the key issue. Recently, South Korea has also lost some confidence in U.S. support, particularly after the announcement that by 2025, the U.S. will withdraw an A-10 attack squadron from South Korea. 

Currently, only three F-16 squadrons remain, meaning planes are being withdrawn without replacement. This leads to a 25% reduction in the combat potential of the U.S. Air Force in South Korea. Given this, there’s now a question of whether the United States would stand by South Korea if it decides to cut back on its own aid,” Oleh Katkov commented.

• According to Bloomberg, Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election prompted South Korea to reconsider sending weapons to Ukraine.