South Korea donates $100 mln aid to Ukraine – PM Shmyhal

Ukraine has received $100 million in financial assistance from South Korea.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced this.

According to him, this is the first budget assistance from Korean partners that will support the social sphere.

Kyiv and Seoul signed an agreement to attract up to $2.1 billion this year.

"I am grateful to the Republic of Korea for supporting Ukraine in the conditions of a full-scale war," Shmyhal added.

Earlier, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, visited Seoul, the capital of South Korea, where he held negotiations on providing military assistance to Kyiv.

According to a TV channel source, Ukraine requested non-lethal weapons. In addition to Cheongung interceptor missiles, the Ukrainians were interested in radars for air defense and anti-artillery.

Ukrainians also requested charges for 155-mm artillery shells that "make shells fly."

Korean defense companies such as LIG Nex1, Hanwha, and Hyundai Rotem have likely received offers from Ukraine to cooperate in purchasing weapons.

However, the South Korean defense ministry has advised entrepreneurs to refrain from signing contracts.

The reason for the refusal is allegedly "the high risk of violating foreign trade laws that restrict exports to combat zones."

For reference:

Since the commencement of the all-out war, Ukraine has not received any military aid from South Korea. However, Seoul's stance on this matter started to shift when North Korea dispatched troops to assist Russia in the war with Ukrainian defenders.

South Korea has announced its plans to take "phased measures" in light of the growing military alliance between North Korea and Russia. One potential measure being considered is providing offensive and defensive weapons to Ukraine.

On October 29, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke by telephone with South Korea's President Yun Suk Yeol. They agreed to intensify contacts at all levels and strengthen the exchange of intelligence regarding Russia's involvement of North Korean military personnel in the war against Ukraine.

South Korea has provided Ukraine with non-lethal assistance, including demining equipment, but still refuses to respond to Kyiv's requests for weapons supplies.