Instead of Returning Home, Yoon Chooses to Go to 'Ukra'... Promises Support with 'Live Means Die, Die Means Live' (Comprehensive)

Yoon and Zelensky Joint Press Conference... "Strongly United to Fight and Protect Together"
Announce 'Ukraine Peace Solidarity Initiative' for Security, Humanitarian, and Reconstruction Support
Sudden Wartime State Visit... Final Decision Amid Security, Safety, and Visit Necessity Concerns

President Yoon Suk-yeol, who made a sudden visit to Ukraine instead of returning home after his NATO and Poland tours, declared the 'Ukraine Peace Solidarity Initiative' on the 15th (local time), focusing on support in three major areas: security, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction. President Volodymyr Zelensky requested additional support from Korea, and President Yoon expressed his intention to strengthen solidarity between the two countries by emphasizing the spirit of 'Saengjeuksa Sajuksa' (Live means die, die means live).

On the same day, President Yoon held a summit with President Zelensky in Kyiv, Ukraine, and made a press announcement based on these points. President Zelensky, who expressed gratitude for the Korean government's humanitarian aid, also thanked President Yoon for efforts toward peace realization and solving food issues. In particular, mentioning participation in reconstruction projects, he said, "Additional support from Korea, including reconstruction, is very important," and made a specific request to "participate in the construction of recovery centers."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the Korea-Ukraine expanded summit held at the Mariinsky Palace, the presidential residence in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, on the 15th (local time).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

President Yoon strongly responded with a spirit of solidarity by referring to the 'Saengjeuksa (生則死) Sajuksa (死則生)' philosophy. He said, "I remember President Zelensky saying that as a president, he has no right to fear death," and added, "If we strongly unite and fight together, we will surely be able to protect our freedom and democracy."

The 'Ukraine Peace Solidarity Initiative,' focusing on ▲security support ▲humanitarian aid ▲reconstruction support, was also announced. First, on the security front, President Yoon expressed consensus on the importance of the 'Peace Formula' proposed by President Zelensky and decided to promote the successful holding of the 'Peace Formula Summit.' President Yoon promised, "Korea will act as a facilitator to encourage more major developing countries to participate in the Peace Formula Summit and join the Free Solidarity." In particular, following last year's support of military supplies such as bulletproof vests and helmets, he indicated the intention to provide military supplies on a larger scale this year. President Yoon stated, "We aim to lead international discussions and actions to enhance global food security and energy security, which have been weakened by the Ukraine war."

The humanitarian aid sector targets items needed by the Ukrainian people. President Yoon said that safety equipment such as mine detectors and humanitarian aid supplies have been delivered promptly, and that humanitarian aid supplies needed by the Ukrainian people will continue to be supported as quickly as possible. He said, "Following about $100 million in humanitarian aid last year, the Korean government will effectively implement $150 million in aid this year," and added, "This year, we also plan to newly provide financial support in cooperation with the World Bank to stabilize the Ukrainian government's finances."

Regarding reconstruction support, one of the key goals of the NATO summit and Poland visit, President Yoon explained, "We welcome the preliminary signing of the EDCF (Economic Development Cooperation Fund) basic agreement between the two countries last May, and we will promptly identify and promote cooperative projects such as infrastructure construction using the $100 million project fund already allocated by Korean financial authorities."

A notable agreement between the two presidents for future generations was also reached. They agreed to establish the 'Yoon Suk-yeol - Zelensky Scholarship.' President Yoon elaborated, "We will support Ukrainian students currently studying in Korea to complete their studies with peace of mind and expand the scholarship program so that more students can benefit."

President Yoon's visit to Ukraine was a final decision made after careful consideration of security, safety, and the necessity of the visit, and First Lady Kim Keon-hee accompanied him. President Yoon and First Lady Kim visited the massacre site in Bucha near Kyiv and Irpin city, where missile attacks were concentrated on civilian residential areas.

President Yoon's visit to Ukraine was carried out suddenly without prior notice. Although President Yoon met President Zelensky at an official dinner during the NATO summit, the plan to visit Ukraine was not disclosed during the tour. Earlier, even when introducing President Yoon's NATO tour schedule, the Blue House denied plans to visit Ukraine. At that time, Kim Tae-hyo, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, stated, "There are no plans to separately visit Ukraine or hold a summit, nor is it currently being pursued." President Yoon was scheduled to return home after a 2-night, 3-day visit to Poland starting on the 12th, but the tour period was extended to 4 nights and 6 days as he headed to Ukraine.

According to the Blue House and others, this visit was made at Ukraine's request. Accordingly, while preparing for the NATO tour, coordination took place, and after careful consideration of security, safety, and the necessity of the visit, President Yoon made the final decision. A Blue House official explained, "A formal invitation from the counterpart country's president reflects expectations for South Korea's role regarding the Ukraine war, which is a critical issue in the international community," and added, "We accepted it as a request embodying that."

South Korea's willingness to participate in the so-called 'Second Marshall Plan,' the Ukraine reconstruction project, has already been formalized. The government and private sectors plan to provide about $52 billion (approximately 66 trillion KRW) in support for urgent facility restoration and other efforts, and will also participate in the reconstruction of major Ukrainian cities, estimated at up to $100 billion (approximately 127 trillion KRW). The government’s plan is to take the lead in market preemption with a 'one-team' system of government and private sectors through customized projects that satisfy both export market development and economic revitalization.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.