South Korea allocates $100 million for Ukraine aid despite tensions, media report
Photo: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (Getty Images)
The South Korean government has allocated $100 million in aid for Ukraine in its draft state budget for 2027. The move comes despite a diplomatic dispute between the two countries over North Korean prisoners of war, according to The JoongAng.
South Korea to provide aid to Ukraine
The outlet noted that the decision follows a pledge made in July by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to help Ukraine. The funding request was submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to The JoongAng, Seoul plans to nearly triple its contribution to the NATO fund for Ukraine, from $16.7 million this year to $50 million in 2027.
Funding for targeted humanitarian assistance projects will quadruple to $20 million. Another $30 million has been allocated under a program supporting countries affected by armed conflicts.
South Korea began contributing to the fund in 2024. The money is used for:
-
Treating wounded Ukrainian soldiers;
-
Building military rehabilitation hospitals.
According to the report, Seoul transferred $34 million for these purposes in 2024-2025.
Humanitarian assistance focuses on healthcare, energy and the reconstruction of educational institutions. The funds are allocated through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and UN agencies, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Despite the dispute
Song Seok-jun, head of a parliamentary committee, urged officials not to cut off bilateral contacts with Ukraine.
"We cannot let recent diplomatic tensions undo the progress made through past cooperation. The government must balance bilateral relations through a measured approach and considering medium- and long-term national interests, including future participation in reconstruction projects," he said.
In addition, a spokesperson for South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured that the government "will continue to consistently uphold its principled position on supporting Ukraine as a responsible member of the international community."
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha would meet his South Korean counterpart, Cho Hyun, in Paris.
The diplomatic dispute between Kyiv and Seoul escalated after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced at the UN General Assembly that Ukraine had handed over two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said that disclosing this information had violated a non-disclosure agreement.
