Ukraine ambassador asks for Korea's continued support

Diplomacy

Published: 23 Feb. 2023, 16:08

Ukraine ambassador asks for Korea's continued support

Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin, right, meets with Ukrainian Ambassador Dmytro Ponomarenko at the Foreign Ministry in central Seoul Thursday, on the eve of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion on Ukraine. [YONHAP]

Ukraine's ambassador to Korea asked for continued support for his country following Russia's invasion one year ago.

Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin and Ambassador Dmytro Ponomarenko held talks Thursday ahead of a ceremony attended by the Ukrainian community in Korea at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in central Seoul to mark the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine, which falls on Friday.

Ponomarenko asked for Korea as a "global pivotal state" to join in the international community's efforts to end the war and bring permanent peace to his country, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Park in turn expressed his "deepest respect for the courage and sacrifices of the Ukrainian people overcoming the hardships of the war," adding that he hoped that the "current situation will be resolved as soon as possible."

The minister further relayed his "sincere sympathy to the Ukrainian community in Korea who are suffering from the war situation in their homeland."

Ponomarenko in turn stressed that Ukraine will not stop until it halts Russian aggression and restores its sovereignty.

The Ukrainian ambassador added that he sincerely hopes that this year will be a "decisive and victorious year for my country and peace-loving nations around the world," according to the ministry.

He said that he expects Korea will join global efforts to bring lasting and just peace to Ukraine, ensure the safety of the international community and restore respect for the UN Charter and a rules-based international order.

"Koreans know very well through its history what it means to fight for their country and freedom," Ponomarenko said.

Park assured that Korea is supporting Ukraine in various ways to end the war and restore peace as soon as possible.

He noted that the British daily Telegraph assessed that Korea was the only Asian country in the top two tiers of the paper's four-tier ranking of assistance to war-stricken Ukraine.

In an article by the Telegraph on Tuesday, 57 countries were scored on their comprehensive support for Ukraine, with Korea ranking 27th, falling within the second highest tier, trailed by Japan in 30th place.

Ponomarenko relayed his gratitude to the Korean government and people for their solidarity and support for Ukraine, and said he hoped to continue to discuss detailed cooperation measures for aid and reconstruction of Ukraine in the future.

Olena Shchegel, a professor of Ukrainian language at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) who has been involved in activities to support her country, and Ukrainian students studying in Korea, also took part in the event.

On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, and the Korean government immediately joined the international community in strongly condemning the armed attack and offering humanitarian assistance to Kyiv.

The Korean government pledged some $100 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

"Tomorrow is the one-year anniversary of the outbreak of the war in Ukraine," said Lim Soo-suk, spokesman of Korea's Foreign Ministry said in a briefing Thursday afternoon. "As a global pivotal country, the Korean government will actively participate in the international community's efforts to contribute to the cessation of the war and the restoration of peace in Ukraine and will continue to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine as much as possible."

He added that Korea participated as a co-sponsor on a UN resolution on peace and security in Ukraine.

Last Friday, Park met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba at a dinner meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Germany and explained the Korean government's efforts including humanitarian aid and support for energy infrastructure restoration to speed along the recovery of daily life in Ukraine.

Kuleba in turn expressed his gratitude.

Park was also set to hold a phone call with Kim Hyung-tae, Korean ambassador to Ukraine, later Thursday to encourage diplomatic staff carrying out activities to protect Koreans residing in the country and to ask them to make every effort to continue ensuring the safety of overseas nationals.

Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin, center, takes a commemorative photo with Ukrainian Ambassador Dmytro Ponomarenko and Ukrainians residing in Korea at the Foreign Ministry in central Seoul Thursday, on the eve of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion on Ukraine. [YONHAP]

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]