Yoon pledges security, humanitarian and reconstruction aid to Ukraine

Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol promised further security, humanitarian and reconstruction aid to Ukraine in a bilateral summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Saturday.

Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, holds a bilateral summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Mariinsky Palace, the official presidential residence, in Kyiv on Saturday. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol promised further security, humanitarian and reconstruction aid to Ukraine in a bilateral summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Saturday.

Yoon and first lady Kim Keon-hee made a surprise trip to Kyiv, the capital of war-torn Ukraine, earlier that day.

This trip marks the first time a Korean president has officially visited a country at war.

In a joint press conference with Zelensky after their summit, Yoon announced that the two sides agreed on the so-called "Ukraine Peace and Solidarity Initiative," a comprehensive package which covers Korea's security, humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Ukraine.

"Above all, we have decided to further strengthen our efforts to promote Ukraine's security," said Yoon.

The initiative includes security support, such as expansion of military supplies including bulletproof vests and helmets. It also includes prompt delivery of humanitarian aid, financial support, as well as cooperation for reconstruction and infrastructure projects.

"Korea will continue to provide military supplies to Ukraine," Yoon said. "Following last year's support for military supplies such as body armor and helmets, we will continue to provide military supplies on a larger scale this year as well."

Yoon stressed Korea "will provide humanitarian aid items needed by the people of Ukraine as swiftly as possible."

The Korean government pledged to Ukraine another $150 million in humanitarian aid this year providing $100 million of assistance last year. Yoon said Korea will also renew financial support for Ukraine in cooperation with the World Bank.

Korea previously provided Ukraine with demining equipment as requested by Ukraine in May.

"Today, I discussed with President Zelensky about ways to cooperate to write a new history of hope," Yoon said. "If we fight together in solidarity in the spirit of life and death, we will surely be able to protect freedom and democracy."

Yoon also extended his "deepest condolences to the Ukrainian citizens whose innocent lives were sacrificed due to Russia's illegal aggression, the young people of Ukraine who gave their lives to defend freedom and their bereaved families."

He said, "Korea will become a partner in cultivating freedom, peace and prosperity in Ukraine, and furthermore, a reliable partner contributing together to freedom, peace and prosperity in the world with Ukraine."

The two leaders further agreed on a Yoon-Zelensky scholarship program to enable Ukrainian students to study in Korea to continue their education in a safe place.

Yoon said he believed there will be a "Miracle in the Dnipro River" in Ukraine, as there was a "Miracle in the Han River" for South Korea after the 1950-53 Korean War.

Zelensky said he is grateful to Korea "for providing comprehensive assistance to Ukraine, including security assistance and humanitarian assistance, to safeguard Ukraine's sovereignty."

Korean first lady Kim Keon-hee, left, and Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska meet at the Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv Friday. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

Earlier, Yoon and Kim were received in a welcoming ceremony at the Mariinsky Palace, the official presidential residence, in Kyiv.

The bilateral summit lasted around 110 minutes.

The two leaders agreed to expand cooperation between their governments and businesses for the postwar reconstruction of Ukraine.

In May, the Korean government signed a preliminary agreement for the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), to offer long-term, low-interest rate loans to help Ukraine rebuild urban infrastructure.

The previously unannounced visit was not part of the president's original European trip itinerary to Lithuania and Poland.

After arriving in Ukraine, Yoon and first lady Kim visited Bucha, a suburb of Kyiv where civilians were discovered killed en masse last year after the Russian army abandoned its positions near the Ukrainian capital, according to the presidential office.

They also visited Irpin, the site of a fierce battle between the Ukrainian military and invading Russian forces at the beginning of the war.

They also laid a wreath at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine to pay respects to the war dead.

Yoon previously held bilateral talks with with Zelensky on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima in May and promised continued humanitarian and non-lethal assistance for Ukraine.

They also agreed to cooperate on Korean companies' participation in postwar reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.

Earlier in May, Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska visited Seoul and requested to Yoon nonlethal aid to Ukraine, such as demining equipment and ambulances.

In April, Yoon suggested for the first time Korea could potentially provide military aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia.

Yoon told Reuters in an interview that Korea could provide aid beyond humanitarian or economic support if Ukraine if there is a "large-scale attack on civilians, massacre or a serious violation of the laws of war."

The issue had raised controversy after leaked classified Pentagon documents earlier indicated that U.S. intelligence authorities may have been spying on Korea's deliberations on supplying ammunition to Ukraine in its war with Russia.

Despite pressure to provide artillery shells to Ukraine, either through direct or indirect routes, Korea has officially maintained the position it will not provide lethal aid to countries at war.

Last Monday, Yoon kicked off a weeklong overseas visit which took him to Vilnius, Lithuania, to attend the NATO summit and Poland for an official visit.

The visit to Ukraine comes upon the invitation of Zelensky.

When asked if Yoon could make a visit to Ukraine, which is adjacent to Lithuania and Poland, and meet with Zelensky, a presidential official told reporters last week that there is "no current plan for a separate visit to Ukraine or a summit."

However, Yoon reportedly solidified his decision to visit Ukraine during his Europe tour, and the trip was kept secretive due to security reasons.

Korean presidents previously visited countries in war to support Korean troops deployed there.

In 1966, then-President Park Chung Hee visited Vietnam during the Vietnam War to support Korean troops. Then-President Roh Moo-hyun made a surprise stop in Iraq to support Korean troops deployed there in 2014.

President Yoon Suk Yeol lays a wreath at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine in Kyiv Saturday. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

At a meeting of leaders of NATO allies and partner countries on Wednesday, Yoon said the Korean government will contribute to NATO's trust fund for Ukraine and pledged continued humanitarian assistance.

Separately, first lady Kim Keon-hee met with Ukraine's first lady Zelenska at the Ukrainian Center in Vilnius, alongside the spouses of other leaders attending the NATO summit.

In Warsaw on Thursday, Yoon said in a bilateral summit with Polish President Andrzej Duda Korea and Poland can be "optimal partners" in rebuilding Ukraine

Korea and Poland signed a memorandum of understanding on reconstruction efforts related to Ukraine during the summit.

On Friday, Yoon also met with businesspeople from companies who are seeking to participate in Ukraine's reconstruction process. They included Samsung C&T, Hyundai Engineering and Construction and Kolon Global.

This comes amid estimates that postwar reconstruction projects in Ukraine could amount to an estimated $1 trillion.

Regarding rebuilding Ukraine, Yoon said in a business forum in Poland, "Korea has a lot of experience in participating in postwar reconstruction projects and has built trust based on pour outstanding technology."

Zelensky wrote on social media on Yoon and Kim's visit to Ukraine, "During this visit, the first in the history of our relations, we are discussing everything that is important for the normal and safe life of people, for the rules-based international order."

He added that through cooperation in the return of deported adults and children, food and energy security and economy, "I am sure together we will give more strength to our nations and the global positions of Ukraine and the Republic of Korea."

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]