EU, Ukrainian Embassy mark 4th anniversary of Russia's invasion with art exhibition in Seoul

An exhibition featuring a total of 30 photographs and artworks portraying the brutality of Russia's invasion of Ukraine opened in southern Seoul on Tuesday to mark the fourth anniversary of the war between Kyiv and Moscow.

European Union Ambassador to Korea Ugo Astuto, front left, and Ukrainian Chargé d’Affaires Andrii Vieshkin, front right, take part in an opening ceremony for an exhibition marking four years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the Seocho District Office in southern Seoul on Feb. 24. [SEOCHO DISTRICT OFFICE]

An exhibition featuring a total of 30 photographs and artworks portraying the brutality of Russia's invasion of Ukraine opened in southern Seoul on Tuesday to mark the fourth anniversary of the war between Kyiv and Moscow.

European envoys joined hands to reaffirm their unwavering support for Ukraine during the opening ceremony of the exhibition, which was co-organized by the Delegation of the European Union to South Korea and the Embassy of Ukraine in South Korea, at the lobby of the Seocho District Office in southern Seoul.

The exhibition — titled “The Worst Anniversary Ever” — offers audiences a glimpse of the horrifying reality that Ukrainians face every day. The EU headquarters in Brussels delivered 20 of the pieces to the exhibition, and the Ukrainian Embassy in Seoul provided the remaining 10.

During his remarks at the opening ceremony, EU Ambassador to Korea Ugo Astuto stressed that the international community, including South Korea, should stand together, as Europe’s security is “interconnected” to the Indo-Pacific’s.

Referring to increasingly closer ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, Astuto noted that the Russia-North Korea military nexus violates multiple United Nations resolutions and poses a “serious concern.” The North Korean regime has reportedly deployed around 30,000 soldiers to Russia.

“We want peace in Ukraine, and we want that peace to last,” Astuto said. “Peace must be durable, credible and consistent with international law.”

Calling today a “time to end the war,” Astuto said the international community should join hands to “stop the aggression and make lasting peace possible.”

Deputy Head of the EU Delegation Roland Honekamp, left, and a visitor look at artworks depicting Russia’s brutal aggression against Ukraine at an exhibition at the Seocho District Office in southern Seoul on Feb. 24. [SEOCHO DISTRICT OFFICE]

Ukrainian Chargé d’Affaires Andrii Vieshkin emphasized that Russia’s aggression is not limited to Ukraine but is equivalent to an attack on universal values, notably sovereignty and democracy, and that his country defends those values, which unite all democratic nations worldwide, including South Korea.

He also noted that the exhibition goes beyond depicting tragedy and aims to portray stories centered on resilience, truth, memory and dignity.

“Art, in times of war, becomes more than expression,” Vieshkin said. “It becomes testimony and resistance.”

Jun Sung-soo, the Seocho District Office chief, said Koreans could relate to the painful experiences of Ukrainians, given the war-torn state of the country during and after the 1950-53 Korean War.

“I hope this exhibition serves as an opportunity to remember the victims and understand that peace cannot be taken for granted,” Jun said.

Diplomats and ambassadors of EU member states attended the opening ceremony. The exhibition, free of charge and open to any walk-in visitors, will run through March 11.

BY LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]