Ukraine's first lady meets Yoon, requests non-lethal aid

Diplomacy

Ukraine's first lady meets Yoon, requests non-lethal aid

Published: 16 May. 2023, 18:58 Updated: 16 May. 2023, 19:10

President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, greets Ukraine’s first lady and special envoy Olena Zelenska at the Yongsan presidential office in central Seoul on Tuesday. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska requested that Korea provide non-lethal aid to her war-torn country in a meeting with President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul on Tuesday, according to the presidential office.

Yoon welcomed Zelenska, who visited Seoul as a special envoy for her husband, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as she paid a courtesy call at the Yongsan presidential office.

The president expressed solidarity for her country.

"I convey the support and solidarity of the Korean government and people to Ukraine and express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims," Yoon said at the beginning of the meeting. "The use of force and inhumane acts resulting in horrific harm to innocent lives, especially women and children, will not be tolerated under any circumstances."

Zelenska, in turn, asked Yoon to provide non-lethal military aid, such as equipment for detecting and removing mines and ambulances, said Lee Do-woon, presidential spokesman, in a press briefing after the meeting.

She also requested the participation of Korea's companies in Ukraine's postwar reconstruction efforts, including its port city of Kherson, where many Koreans live.

Zelenska expressed her appreciation for Korea's continued support, solidarity and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and asked that the country continue to expand its assistance in areas where it is able to, according to Lee.

Yoon replied that he would closely cooperate with NATO member countries and the international community in such efforts to support the Ukrainian people.

The president said he highly regarded Zelenska's efforts to raise awareness of the horrors of the war in Ukraine and her efforts to secure aid from the international community, said Lee.

First lady Kim Keon-hee held a separate meeting with Zelenska, said the presidential office, and expressed support for Zelenska's efforts toward educating children and caring for war orphans.

Zelenska visited Seoul to attend a media conference.

In an interview with Yonhap News Agency published earlier Tuesday, Zelenska expressed an intention to invite Yoon and Kim to Ukraine.

She also relayed her gratitude for Korea's continued support of Ukraine, calling the country "a model of resilience and development."

In an interview with Reuters last month, Yoon said Korea could provide aid beyond humanitarian or financial support if Ukraine comes under a large-scale attack on its civilians or another serious violation of the laws of war.

It was the first time Yoon suggested that Korea could provide military aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia, indicating a possible shift from its official policy of not providing lethal aid to countries at war.

Referring to Yoon's remarks, Zelenska said it was "a wise decision by the president."

She said that "when there is a criminal in the house, the owners clearly need not only humanitarian aid, food and medicine, but something more radical to drive the criminal out," in reference to Russia.

Zelenska said in the Yonhap interview that Ukraine welcomes everybody who will be able to provide resources to "drive the criminal out of our home."

However, a presidential official said that during her meeting with Yoon, "there was no such request" of lethal aid to Ukraine and that Zelenska instead "expressed that she understands that Korea may have difficulties in providing military support."

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