South Korea to expand support for Ukraine as President Yoon Suk Yeol makes a surprise visit

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made an unexpected visit to Ukraine, expressing support for the country’s struggle against Russia and showcasing South Korea’s cooperation with NATO.

Accompanied by his wife, Kim Keon Hee, Yoon traveled to Ukraine following his attendance at a NATO summit in Lithuania and a visit to Poland. This visit marked Yoon’s first since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

During his visit, Yoon toured Bucha and Irpin, two small cities near Kyiv that witnessed civilian casualties and mass graves after Russian troops retreated from the region. He paid his respects at a monument dedicated to the war dead and held a summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

South Korea, a crucial ally of the United States in Asia, has supported Ukraine through humanitarian and financial aid. However, in accordance with its longstanding policy, South Korea has refrained from providing weapons to countries involved in active conflicts.

In a joint news conference with Zelenskyy, Yoon announced plans to expand support shipments to Ukraine but did not mention providing weapons. Yoon began his statement by mentioning the United Nations’ support for South Korea during the Korean War, drawing parallels between the current situation in Ukraine and South Korea’s past struggles.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Seoul for its unwavering support in upholding Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the significant aid it has provided since the start of the Russian invasion.

Yoon revealed that South Korea would increase shipments of nonlethal military items such as body armor and helmets this year. Additionally, South Korea would provide $150 million in humanitarian aid, an increase from the previous year’s $100 million. South Korea has also supplied Ukraine with requested de-mining equipment and other aid items.

Yoon and Zelenskyy agreed to collaborate on post-war reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. Furthermore, South Korea plans to establish a scholarship fund named after Yoon and Zelenskyy to extend support to Ukrainian students in South Korea.

Although South Korea is not a NATO member, it is considered a global partner of the military alliance, similar to Japan and Pakistan. In March, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Ukraine.

Yoon’s visit to Ukraine exemplifies his globally oriented foreign policy and demonstrates South Korea’s solidarity with NATO partners in upholding the rules-based international order. Seoul’s support for Ukraine encompasses not only humanitarian assistance but also arms sales to supplement NATO countries’ military aid to Kyiv, along with plans for post-conflict infrastructure reconstruction.

Yoon’s visit took place two days after Russia launched Iranian-made drones at the Kyiv region. While Ukrainian air defenses intercepted the drones, debris fell on several districts in the capital, resulting in injuries and property damage.

Ukrainian forces reported downing ten Russian drones across the country, including six Iranian-made Shahed drones fired by Moscow. In Zaporizhzhia and Kherson provinces, Ukrainian counteroffensives and Russian shelling continued, with sporadic attacks causing damage but no civilian casualties.

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) announced the arrest of a group connected to a Ukrainian plot to assassinate Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of the state-funded RT international television channel, and journalist Ksenia Sobchak. The FSB alleged the plot was organized by Ukraine’s SBU security agency, but no evidence was provided, and Ukraine has not commented on the matter.

Yoon’s visit emphasizes South Korea’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression and its dedication to global peace and stability. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine serves as a reminder that regional security crises can have far-reaching global consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about South Korea-Ukraine relations

More about South Korea-Ukraine relations

• South Korea-Ukraine Relations: President Yoon Suk Yeol’s Visit
• NATO: South Korea as a Global Partner
• South Korea’s Policy on Arms Supply to Conflict Zones
• Ukraine Conflict: Updates and Coverage
• Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Background and Developments
• FSB’s Announcement on Assassination Plot
• Global Impact of Regional Security Crises