Exclusive: Korean defense firms quietly bypass China's rare earth curbs via third countries

Korean defense firms are circumventing China's tightened rare earth export controls by routing shipments through third countries like Russia and Arab states, despite legal and sanction risks. This indirect import strategy helps maintain critical supply for missile systems reliant on heavy rare earths, which China dominates globally.

This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Defense Tech, and 1 source has reported it between 14 Aug 2026 and 17 Aug 2026.