[Unofficial Translation]

I am grateful to President Zelenskyy for his invitation in these difficult times and the special consideration he has extended to me.

First of all, please allow me to express my profound condolences to the families of the innocent Ukrainian citizens who fell victim to Russia’s illegal aggression as well as young Ukrainians who gave their lives to defend freedom.

I feel a great sense of responsibility to be the first President of the Republic of Korea to visit Ukraine during this critical period.

I hope that this visit by me and my delegation will offer a modicum of encouragement to President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people, who are presently enduring such hardships.

Over 70 years ago, the Republic of Korea suffered an illegal invasion by the forces of North Korea’s totalitarian communist regime and lost 90 percent of our territory in a mere matter of months. Our country faced an existential threat.

We, however, won a miraculous victory at the southernmost line of defense with the help of the United Nations forces and the international community, making it possible to repel North Korean aggression.

From the wounds of war, the Republic of Korea has emerged as one of the world’s freest, most peaceful and most prosperous countries today.

The current situation in Ukraine reminds me of the Republic of Korea some 70 years ago.

I remember President Zelenskyy once saying that he has no right as President to fear death.

If we continue to fight together in strong solidarity in the spirit of “those who seek to live shall die and those who seek to die shall live,” we will undoubtedly be able to safeguard freedom and democracy.

Today, President Zelenskyy and I discussed how to work together to write a new chapter in history that is filled with hope.

We, the two leaders, agreed to jointly pursue the “Ukraine Peace and Solidarity Initiative,” which encompasses Korea’s assistance for security, humanitarian aid and post-war reconstruction.

Let me brief you on the security assistance.

President Zelenskyy and I agreed to redouble our efforts to, above all else, enhance Ukraine’s security.

Sharing an understanding of the importance of the “Peace Formula” proposed by President Zelenskyy, we agreed to push for a successful “Peace Formula Summit.”

Notably, Korea intends to play a role as a facilitator, encouraging more of the major developing countries to participate in the Peace Formula Summit and solidarity for freedom.

Korea will continue to provide materiel Ukraine needs. We delivered bulletproof vests and combat helmets last year, and this year the scale of our contribution will be even larger.

Moreover, we intend to play a leading role in the international community’s discussions and actions to improve global food and energy security, which have been undermined by the war in Ukraine.

Now, let’s turn to the humanitarian aid.

We two leaders agreed to provide humanitarian aid items needed by the people of Ukraine as early as possible through close communication between our two governments.

After the summit with President Zelenskyy in May, Korea swiftly delivered safety equipment like mine detectors and humanitarian aid items that Ukraine needed.

Following the approximately US$100 million in humanitarian assistance last year, the Korean government will provide a US$150 million aid package this year in a timely manner. This year, we plan to provide new financial support in cooperation with the World Bank for the fiscal stability of the Ukrainian government.

Now, for the reconstruction assistance.

As the last item on the agenda, we two leaders agreed to expand cooperation between the governments and among businesses of our two countries to rebuild Ukraine.

We welcomed the initialing of the framework agreement on the Economic Development Cooperation Fund between Korea and Ukraine in May. The US$100 million already earmarked by the Korean financial authorities will be used to promptly identify and carry out cooperative projects such as infrastructure construction.

In addition, we concurred on expanding cooperation to establish an on-and-offline education system in Ukraine.

The Korea International Cooperation Agency office, which opened in Kyiv last year, will also play a central role in promoting cooperation to rebuild educational institutions destroyed by the war.

Moreover, we agreed to expand support for Ukraine’s young people.

The establishment of the Yoon Suk Yeol-Zelenskyy scholarship will assist Ukrainian students currently studying in Korea to help them finish their studies free of financial worries. The program will be expanded to allow more students to benefit from it.

I learned that thanks to President Zelenskyy’s interest, Ukrainian students are now learning about the Miracle on the Han River in their textbooks.

I believe that the “Miracle on the Dnieper River” will certainly be realized, too. The Republic of Korea’s history of post-war recovery and prosperity speaks volumes about Ukraine’s potential.

The Republic of Korea will become a companion in promoting freedom, peace and prosperity in Ukraine, and together with Ukraine, we will serve as a reliable partner contributing to the world’s freedom, peace and prosperity. President Zelenskyy and I will communicate and cooperate more closely toward that hopeful future.

Thank you.