Round-trip 27-hour journey to the battlefield... Yoon shortens schedule to inspect heavy rain damage

Promotion of 'Ukraine Peace Solidarity Initiative' on Security, Humanitarian Aid, and Reconstruction
14-hour one-way trip, 11-hour stay... Strengthening solidarity through joint press conference
Significantly shortening schedules outside the summit and directing measures considering domestic heavy rain damage

President Yoon Suk-yeol, who made a sudden visit to Ukraine instead of returning home after his NATO and Poland tour, has significantly shortened his local schedule to inspect domestic heavy rain damage. Considering the arduous schedule that took 27 hours round trip using air, land, and train transportation, it is meaningful that he effectively managed both the Ukraine visit and the domestic situation personally. President Yoon received reports on the domestic situation and instructed countermeasures not only during his travel to Ukraine but also just before the local summit meeting.

On the 16th (local time), a senior official from the Presidential Office met with reporters at the press center set up in Warsaw, Poland, and in response to the question, "Did you consider canceling the Ukraine visit due to the domestic heavy rain damage situation?" he said, "It seemed that there would be no opportunity to visit Ukraine again until the war ends if not at that time," adding, "Even if the Korean president rushed back to Seoul immediately, it would not significantly change the situation, so he just received frequent reports."

President Yoon Suk-yeol, who made a surprise visit to Ukraine, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are seen entering the Mariinsky Palace, the presidential residence in Kyiv, and conversing on the 15th (local time).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

He also conveyed that the schedule involved 14 hours one way within Poland and Ukraine, 27 hours round trip, and 11 hours of stay. The official added, "President Yoon reduced his schedule in Ukraine due to the domestic flood damage." According to the Presidential Office, President Yoon initially planned normal diplomatic activities such as a summit meeting with President Zelensky and visits to museums, but both sides agreed to adjust the schedule considering Korea's flood situation.

Through this visit to Ukraine, President Yoon expressed his commitment to post-war reconstruction projects. He declared the "Ukraine Peace Solidarity Initiative," focusing on support in three major areas: security, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction. President Zelensky also requested additional support from Korea, and President Yoon conveyed his intention to strengthen solidarity between the two countries by emphasizing the spirit of "Saengjeuksasa Sajeuksaeng" (Live and die together).

The declaration of the "Ukraine Peace Solidarity Initiative" highlights the importance of the "Peace Formula" proposed by President Zelensky from a security perspective, centering on the successful hosting of the "Peace Formula Summit." President Yoon promised, "Korea will act as a facilitator to encourage major developing countries to participate more 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 plans 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 mentioned that safety equipment such as mine detectors and humanitarian aid supplies have been delivered promptly, and he pledged to continue providing humanitarian aid supplies that the Ukrainian people need as quickly as possible. He said, "The Korean government will effectively implement this year's $150 million support following last year's approximately $100 million humanitarian aid," adding, "This year, we also plan to initiate financial support in cooperation with the World Bank to stabilize the Ukrainian government's finances."

Among these, support for safety equipment including mine detectors in Ukraine is expected to increase significantly. Kim Tae-hyo, the first deputy director of the National Security Office, explained, "After President Yoon's visit to Ukraine, we prepared nine packages: three in security, three in humanitarian aid, and three in reconstruction," adding, "The demand for mine detection and removal equipment from Ukraine is so urgent that we decided to expand support."

Regarding reconstruction support, one of the key goals of the NATO summit and Poland visit, he said, "We welcome the preliminary signing of the EDCF (Economic Development Cooperation Fund) basic agreement between the two countries last May, and we will promptly discover 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 leaders for future generations is the establishment of 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."

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

The intention 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) for urgent facility restoration and other support, and 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 the market 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.