According to Ji Da-gyum in The Korea Herald echoed by Asia News Network, a South Korean official said the government has not yet formally begun procedures for the export but the military is reviewing whether it is capable of supplying the 155mm artillery shells needed by the Canadian artillery.
The South Korean government has been reviewing the export of 155mm artillery shells to Canada in a bid to help the country replenish its depleted weapons stocks sent to Ukraine. Indeed, Ji Da-gyum reports, Canada recently asked if South Korea is able to export 100,000 rounds of 155 mm artillery ammunition through a diplomatic channel, a South Korean senior official at the Defense Ministry confirmed to The Korea Herald on May 30. The South Korean official said the government has not yet formally begun procedures to proceed with the export. But the military has been reviewing whether it is capable of supplying the artillery shells in light of its weapons stocks and readiness posture.
Since February, the Canadian government has provided a number of M777 howitzers and its 155mm shells to the Ukrainian army. Canada’s Defense Minister Anita Anand on May 24 announced the country’s plan to donate 20,000 artillery rounds of 155 mm NATO standard ammunition to support Ukraine’s defense against the Russian invasion. But the ammunition purchase worth 98 million Canadian dollars ($77 million) from the US suggests the depletion of its weapons stockpiles.
The 155 mm artillery rounds are produced by South Korea’s Poongsan Corp. South Korean broadcaster SBS on May 29 reported that the military is considering sending its ammunition stocks to Poongsan Corp. so the firm can supply the artillery shells to Canada without additional production, at a lower-than-normal price. The company will be paid by the Canadian government and additionally produce 100,000 artillery shells for the South Korean military, the report said, citing a high-level official at the Defense Ministry. Seoul’s plan is to support both Canada and Ukraine by supplying the ammunition at lower costs, the report added.