US turns to its Korean inventory to arm Kiev, Seoul says no comment

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
19 Jan 2023 22:37
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The US Forces Korea claim that the transfer of ammunition will have no impact on their readiness to protect their East Asian ally.

A US Air Force serviceman checks pallets of 155-millimeter artillery shells. (Alex Brandon/AP)

The US will send Kiev military equipment sourced from its forces deployed in South Korea to Ukraine, the US Forces Korea (USFK) stated on Thursday.

According to USFK spokesperson Col. Isaac Taylor, "The Department of Defense continues to provide military assistance from its inventories in support of Ukraine. United States Forces Korea has been requested to support this effort by providing some of its equipment."

"This has zero impact on our operations and our ability to execute on our ironclad commitment to the defense of our ally, the Republic of Korea. There should be no doubt that we remain ready to 'fight tonight'," he added.

However, Taylor did not disclose what type of military equipment or the quantity that will be redirected, while South Korea's Ministry of Defense declined to comment on the matter.

"With regards to the USFK combat capabilities, we have nothing particular to talk about," Seoul's Defense Ministry Spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyou told reporters.

"But South Korea and the United States have been in close consultation and cooperation over matters related to our readiness posture, including that issue."

According to a report by The New York Times published earlier this week, Washington has been turning to its ammunition inventories in South Korea and "Israel" in order to send artillery shells to Ukraine.

Officials from America's East Asian ally stated that South Korea and the US have been engaging in talks regarding arms shipments to or from the USFK, which could impact Seoul's security while tensions rise with its DPRK neighbor.