Trump shares call for South Korea to sell Cheongung-II missiles to Ukraine

Donald Trump has shared a column urging South Korea to sell its Cheongung-II missile system to Ukraine, adding to pressure on Seoul to contribute more to U.S.-linked military efforts.

The president shared the Washington Post column on Truth Social. Its author, Marc Thiessen, argued that Ukraine would need more interceptor missiles even if it were allowed to begin producing its own systems immediately. He identified South Korea’s Cheongung-II, often described as a Korean version of the Patriot, as a possible source.

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Even if Ukraine were allowed to start production tomorrow, it would need more interceptor missiles right now.

Thiessen called on Trump to pressure South Korea to sell missiles from its large domestic stockpile. He also criticized Seoul’s position that its laws prohibit arms sales to countries at war, pointing to South Korean sales of the same interceptor system to the United Arab Emirates, which he described as a country at war.

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President Trump should pressure South Korea to sell Cheongung-II from its vast domestic stockpile.

The column further argued that South Korea had already refused support in the Strait of Hormuz and said transferring weapons to Ukraine would ease the burden on the United States, which is expected to provide interceptor missiles. Thiessen presented the move as an opportunity for South Korea to demonstrate that it is a reliable ally.

Trump did not provide a detailed assessment when he shared the column. The move was nevertheless viewed as signaling that he expects South Korea to play a role in military efforts involving U.S. forces. Trump has frequently shared reporting and commentary that he favors.

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This is an opportunity for South Korea to go the extra mile and prove that it is a reliable ally.