Trump Shares Column on SNS Urging Sale of Cheongung-II to Ukraine...Pressure on South Korea?

Includes Claim: "The Best Way to Improve U.S.-Korea Relations"

U.S. President Donald Trump shared a column on his social media (SNS) arguing that South Korea should sell its domestic medium-range surface-to-air missile, the Cheongung-II—often referred to as the "Korean Patriot"—to Ukraine.

U.S. President Donald Trump. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

On September 4 (local time), President Trump shared a column titled "How Trump Can Help Ukraine Build Its Own Patriot Missiles" by Marc Thiessen, published in The Washington Post, via his social network Truth Social. Thiessen, a conservative U.S. foreign and security policy expert who previously worked for former President George W. Bush and former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, is known to be someone President Trump seeks advice from.

Thiessen wrote, "Even if Ukraine gets permission from the United States to produce Patriots, they still urgently need additional interceptor missiles." He argued, "To address this urgent need, Trump should pressure South Korea to sell the M-SAM (Cheongung-II)—known as the 'Korean Patriot'—from its own stockpiles to Ukraine." He further added, "South Korea claims that it is legally prohibited from selling weapons to countries at war, but it is currently selling these exact interceptors to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is also involved in a conflict."

On the 20th of last month, at the Incheon Port Coastal Passenger Terminal in Jemulpo District, Incheon, Air Force personnel from the 166th Battalion operated the Cheongung-II launcher during the 2026 Eulji Exercise, titled "Incheon Port National Critical Infrastructure Integrated Protection and Damage Recovery Training." Photo by Yonhap News

Thiessen stated, "Trump is already justifiably angered by South Korea's refusal to support in the Strait of Hormuz," adding, "There is no better way for South Korea to mend relations, and this would also reduce the burden on the United States to supply interceptors to Ukraine."

He further emphasized, "Using the Cheongung-II against North Korean missiles deployed in attacks on Ukraine would allow South Korea to test its performance, which serves South Korea's national interest." He also said, "This is an opportunity for South Korea to step forward and prove it is a reliable ally."

While sharing the column, Trump did not add any additional comments. However, it is noteworthy that President Trump has a history of sharing reports and columns that are favorable to him or align with his views.

On August 23, former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence also visited Ukraine and claimed that South Korean interceptor missile support via indirect channels could be a solution.

The Cheongung-II, along with the Patriot system, is a key asset in the Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system, capable of intercepting missiles and aircraft at medium altitudes of about 15 to 20 km. The system comprises four launcher vehicles, each with eight launch tubes, a multifunction radar, and an Engagement Control System (ECS). LIG D&A (formerly LIG Nex1) is responsible for producing the missiles and the integrated system.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.