South Korea earmarks US$100m for Ukraine in 2027 draft budget
The South Korean government has included US$100 million in aid for Ukraine in its draft state budget for 2027, despite the ongoing diplomatic crisis between the two countries.
Source: South Korean newspaper JoongAng Ilbo, citing the office of Song Seok-jun, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee of the National Assembly, and diplomatic sources
Details: JoongAng Ilbo reported that the request to include the expenditure was submitted by the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The package fulfils a pledge made by President Lee Jae-myung at the NATO summit in July.
Seoul's contribution to the NATO Trust Fund for Ukraine is planned to almost triple from US$16.7 million this year to US$50 million in 2027. Funding for targeted humanitarian support projects will quadruple to reach US$20 million. Another US$30 million has been earmarked under an assistance programme for countries affected by armed conflicts.
The NATO Trust Fund has been operating since 2016 to rebuild Ukraine and rapidly supply non-lethal military equipment. South Korea has been contributing to the fund since 2024, directing funds for the treatment of wounded Ukrainian soldiers and the construction of military rehabilitation hospitals. In 2024-2025 Seoul transferred US$34 million for this purpose.
The humanitarian aid focuses on healthcare, energy and repairs to educational institutions. The funds are allocated through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and UN agencies, particularly UNDP.
However, South Korean observers have questioned whether the aid can be used to full effect and whether South Korean companies can take part in Ukraine's recovery given the serious diplomatic rift between the two countries.
Song Seok-jun urged officials not to sever bilateral contacts, stressing that recent diplomatic frictions should not be allowed to erase previous cooperative achievements. He emphasised that the government had to balance bilateral relations through a measured stance, taking into account medium- and long-term national interests, including future participation in recovery projects.
A spokesperson for the South Korean Foreign Ministry said the government, as a responsible member of the international community, will continue to strictly adhere to its principled stance on supporting Ukraine.
Background:
- On 23 September, during his address to the UN General Assembly, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned that Ukraine had handed over two North Korean soldiers to South Korea. The soldiers had fought for Russia and were captured in Kursk Oblast in 2025.
- On 24 September, President Lee Jae-myung accused Zelenskyy of disclosing sensitive information and said that agreements had been violated. The Office of the President of Ukraine responded that the two sides had not signed any non-disclosure agreements, noting that the president had revealed only the fact of the handover and provided no operational details.
- On 8 October, South Korea's Foreign Ministry announced that it was recalling its ambassador to Ukraine, Park Hee-chang, amid the dispute between Kyiv and Seoul over the disclosure of information about the repatriation of the North Korean prisoners of war.
- On 27 October, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun announced the withdrawal of eight embassy staff members from Ukraine in view of Kyiv's failure to resolve the dispute.
- Seoul subsequently summoned Ukraine's ambassador and threatened additional measures if Kyiv did not issue a public apology.
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