South Korean lawmaker urges Cheongung-II air defense support for Ukraine

South Korean lawmaker Yu Yong-won of the People Power Party has urged the government to actively consider providing air defense systems, specifically the Cheongung-II, to Ukraine. Speaking at a press conference at the National Assembly, Yu argued that the security landscape has fundamentally changed since the start of the war due to deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia.

Yu highlighted the potential for North Korea to deploy an additional 30,000 to 50,000 troops to Russia. He emphasized that providing the Cheongung-II is not an act of providing offensive weaponry, but rather a defensive measure to protect civilians and infrastructure from missiles and drones.

A key strategic benefit cited is the opportunity to acquire real-world combat data. By deploying the system in Ukraine, South Korea could analyze how the Cheongung-II performs against North Korean missiles, such as the KN-23 and KN-24, which are reportedly being used in the conflict. Yu also called for the dispatch of a combat experience analysis team to study North Korean tactics and weapon systems used on the battlefield.