President Yoon launches peace initiative during historic visit to Ukraine

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shake hands after a joint press presentation for the Korea-Ukraine summit at the Mariinsky Palace, the presidential residence in Kyiv, Ukraine, on July 15 (local). [Photo by Yonhap]

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol emphasized solidarity and pledged support to defend freedom and democracy during his historic visit to Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, following a meeting with his counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.

“Just as Korea achieved the ‘miracle of the Han River’ after reeling from a war 70 years ago, I believe Ukraine will be able to achieve the ‘miracle of the Dnieper River,’” Yoon said, during a joint press conference at the Mariinsky Palace, the presidential residence.

Yoon announced the launch of the Ukraine Peace and Solidarity Initiative, which aims to help restore normalcy in Ukraine through nine aid packages in the areas of security, humanitarian, and reconstruction.

“In addition to the body armors, helmets, and other military supplies provided last year, we will provide military supplies on a larger scale this year,” Yoon said.

The Korean president also promised the effective implementation of the $100 million in humanitarian assistance provided last year and $150 million this year. He also announced the establishment of a scholarship to support Ukrainian students studying in Korea.

Zelensky said that his country is grateful to Korea for helping Ukraine defend its sovereignty and for continuing to provide security and humanitarian assistance. In the field of reconstruction and recovery, Ukraine hopes that Korea will participate in the construction of the recovery center as well, he said.

Yoon is the first Korean president to visit a combat zone with no Korean troops deployed. He is also Korea’s third president to visit a combat zone, following former President Park Chung Hee’s visit to Vietnam in 1966 and former President Roh Moo-hyun’s visit to Iraq in 2004.