By KYIV. May 16 (Interfax-Ukraine) – South Korea will provide active assistance to Ukraine in close coordination with the international community, a spokesperson for President of South Korea Yoon Suk-yeol said following the president’s meeting with First Lady of Ukraine Olena
According to Yonhap News Agency, Zelenska is in Seoul as a special envoy of her husband, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“The president conveyed the support and solidarity of the South Korean government and people for Ukraine and expressed his condolences to the families of victims and the Ukrainian people,” presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon said during a press briefing.
Zelenska thanked South Korea for the support and solidarity, and humanitarian assistance it has sent so far to Ukraine and asked that it increase aid in areas where it is able.
“First lady Zelenska said she hopes for aid in non-lethal military equipment, such as mine detection and removal equipment, and ambulances,” Lee said.
The first lady also requested the participation of South Korean businesses in Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction effort, including in Kherson, where many ethnic Koreans reside.
“President Yoon replied that we will actively support the Ukrainian people in close coordination with NATO member states and the international community,” Lee said.
Zelenska met separately with first lady Kim Keon Hee, who promised to provide continued humanitarian assistance to help the Ukrainian people overcome their hardship and have hope.
Lee also said that the Ukrainian first lady did not invite Yoon and Kim to Ukraine during the meetings, though the government plans to respond appropriately if she later informally made such a request. Zelenska had expressed her intention to invite Yoon and Kim to Ukraine in a recent written interview with Yonhap News Agency.
