- SK actually wants
- The US is willing to sell to them
- they can't procure from other places or make themselves?
My understanding is the only things that fall into these categories are high-end missile interceptors and jet engines, with large efforts being underway to rectify these issues.
I think the deeper reason might have something to do with Chinese designs in North Korea. While China has been reticent to supply Russia, China will see North Korea as a defendant (even if they are the aggressors), and readily supply them with what they need. Ukraine vs Russia is just China vs China at this point.
https://mwi.westpoint.edu/why-north-koreas-artillery-threat-...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Korea_and_weapons_of_mas...
South Korea could take out the first barrage of NK's missiles and nukes with its THAAD system. After that it will be vulnerable. So SK's success in any future conflict is contingent on a successful counter to them, as well as a successful counter-attack that's able to take out all NK missile silos and artillery systems (a combination of drones and air force could do this). But of course, too many variables and South Korea would do better to not take its chances in finding out, and preemptively urging for peace.
The calculations for SK's strategic future will of course involve many other things, and happen from there own rather unique perspective where reunification will be something that both sides cant help but yearn for, and China, and Russia would be indifferent too, or supportive of. And SK is stuck playing the subserviant host to the US military, which must be great for morale, hey.
As I said elsewhere, South Korea's victory requires way too many positives to happen during the first strike itself, else Seoul will face prolonged bombardment or even nukes. South Korea has the capability to do so too. But being a more pragmatic actor, South Korea has decided to go the diplomatic route and urge for peace instead.
> And SK is stuck playing the subserviant host to the US military, which must be great for morale, hey.
Actually it IS great for morale for both South Korea and Japan to have the US military backing them. Part of the reason for South Korea pursuing diplomacy and for 3 major US allies (Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey) forming their own alliance is because they've all lost faith in US leadership if push comes to shove. South Korea knows that after the first barrage by NK, if all of the nukes aren't taken out then and there, then THAAD is useless and SK are sitting ducks.
Some of them are too well fed.
And in what world do you think that a war between North and South Korea remains limited to an "unconventional drone war", especially if the North Koreans are being battered?
Fortunately, I'm quite certain the people who are actually in charge of policy don't share your level of confidence.
That being said, as I mentioned elsewhere, South Korea is choosing the pragmatic path because their optimal first strike scenario requires too many variables to be aligned properly.
"In a gold rush, sell shovels."