South Korea budgets $100 million for Ukraine despite unresolved diplomatic dispute
South Korea has included $100 million in proposed assistance for Ukraine in its 2027 government budget despite an unresolved diplomatic dispute between Seoul and Kyiv over the disclosure of arrangements involving North Korean prisoners of war, the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper reported.
The funding would fulfill a pledge made by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in July, when he announced a $100 million assistance package for Ukraine during talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
According to the newspaper, citing parliamentary foreign affairs committee chair Song Seok-jun and diplomatic sources, South Korea's Foreign Ministry has requested that the funding be included in next year's budget.
The proposed assistance is divided into three components:
- $50 million for a NATO trust fund supporting Ukraine, up from $16.7 million in 2026.
- $20 million for humanitarian projects, four times this year's allocation of $5 million.
- $30 million for programs assisting countries affected by armed conflict, earmarked for Ukraine.
The NATO trust fund has supported projects including the rehabilitation of Ukrainian service members, while humanitarian assistance has focused on energy, healthcare and education.
The proposed funding has not yet been finalized through the budget process.
Diplomatic tensions over North Korean prisoners
The proposal comes amid a dispute that began after Zelenskyy publicly discussed arrangements involving North Korean soldiers captured while fighting for Russia.
Seoul accused Kyiv of violating a confidentiality agreement concerning the possible transfer of North Korean prisoners to South Korea, calling the issue highly sensitive for national security and diplomacy.
Ukraine denied that any such confidentiality agreement existed.
South Korea subsequently recalled its ambassador from Ukraine and withdrew additional embassy personnel in October. Seoul also demanded an apology, warning of further measures.
The dispute has raised concerns in South Korea about its potential impact on bilateral cooperation, including opportunities for Korean companies to participate in Ukraine's postwar reconstruction.
"Recent diplomatic conflicts must not undermine the results of cooperation achieved so far," Song said, urging the government to manage relations with Ukraine while considering longer-term national interests, including reconstruction projects.
A South Korean Foreign Ministry official told JoongAng Ilbo that the government intended to maintain its principled position on supporting Ukraine as a responsible member of the international community.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and his South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun are planning to meet in Paris to discuss restoring bilateral relations, a diplomatic source told hromadske on November 10.
No resolution to the dispute has been announced.