In February, Russia reduced supplies of raw aluminum to South Korea by 32.7% compared to the same period last year — from $105.7 million to $71.1 million, reports the "Prime" agency, citing an analysis of South Korean statistics by Russian journalists. As a result, Russia's share in the South Korean aluminum market decreased from first place (a year ago) to second — 24.2% of all supplies.
The reduction in supplies occurs against the backdrop of the active development of the South Korean aircraft industry. The country produces KF-21 Boramae and FA-50 Golden Eagle fighters, which are supplied to NATO countries — in particular, to Poland. Aluminum plays a key role in their production: aircraft fuselages are assembled manually using thousands of rivets, as aluminum parts cannot be welded. More than 10,000 connections are required just to attach one wing.
South Korea does not comment on the reasons for the decrease in imports of Russian aluminum. However, experts attribute this both to a general reduction in the supply of Russian metals against the backdrop of sanctions pressure, and to a possible reorientation of Seoul to alternative suppliers in the face of growing defense orders.