UPDATE - South Korean president pays unexpected visit to Ukraine

UPDATES WITH REMARKS FROM SOUTH KOREA, UKRAINE

By Elena Teslova and Aliia Raimbekova

MOSCOW (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that his South Korean counterpart Yoon Suk Yeol paid an unexpected visit to Ukraine on Saturday.

In a statement on Telegram, Zelenskyy noted: “President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee are in Ukraine today. During this visit – the first in the history of our relations – we discuss everything that is important for a normal and safe life of people, for an international order based on rules," Zelenskyy said.

He also said that "I invited South Korea to participate in the declaration of support for Ukraine agreed with the G7 countries,” speaking at the joint press conference held after the meeting.

Pointing out that Ukraine needs a new and large-scale rehabilitation industry, Zelenskyy said, "I called on South Korea to show its leadership in the establishment of rehabilitation centers in Ukraine."

Meanwhile, Yoon stressed that last year, the South Korean government allocated $100 million to support Ukraine, adding, "This year, this support will be $150 million."

Emphasizing that South Korea will participate in Ukraine's post-war reconstruction program, he said his country helped rebuild damaged Ukrainian schools.

Yoon also visited the cities of Irpin and Bucha, where Ukraine claims the Russian army has committed war crimes, according to the South Korean Presidency’s statement.

The duo also discussed with his South Korean counterpart global peace, food, and energy security, and economic cooperation.​​​​​​​