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Why Seoul really wants to sell arms to the Saudis
South Korea wants to be a major player in global weapons sales and, if it succeeds, could help rebalance arms supply in Asia.
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A South Korean engineer works on a K-9 self propelled howitzer at Hanwha Aerospace factory in Changwon.
PHOTO: AFP
Tim Culpan
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A likely weapons deal between Riyadh and Seoul could help South Korea realise its ambition to be a major player in the global defence market. The importance of such an agreement cannot be understated: Saudi Arabia is the world’s second-largest importer of major arms, and is shopping around just as the Asian supplier is looking to sell more-advanced weaponry
High on the Gulf state’s wish list are surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) to intercept air strikes from the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, along the kingdom’s southern border. The Cheongung II KM-SAM system, developed by a group of South Korean contractors including affiliates of Hanwha Aerospace, would fit the bill. Should a deal go through, it could top the US$3.5 billion (S$4.7 billion) contract then President Moon Jae-in inked with the United Arab Emirates for Cheongung IIs in January 2022.
