South Korea to allow businessmen to travel to Ukraine

The South Korean government has decided to allow Korean businessmen to visit Ukraine to negotiate their participation in reconstruction and recovery projects.

Yonhap reports this regarding its sources, Ukrinform reports.

The decision was made as an exception to the current rules, according to which Korean citizens are prohibited from visiting armed conflict zones under penalty of law. The South Korean government has banned entry to Ukraine since February last year when Russian troops began their invasion.

Earlier this month, the South Korean government announced plans to make an exception and allow businessmen to enter Ukraine to prepare reconstruction projects.

According to the sources, the government intends to limit the number of traveling businessmen to no more than 30 people at a time and limit the duration of their stay in Ukraine to two weeks.

By Korean law, they will travel using passports only, and as of this month, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that it is accepting applications for travel to Ukraine. If the number of applicants exceeds the limit, they will be asked to adjust their departure time to stay within the quota.

The South Korean government expects many Korean companies to visit Ukraine to explore opportunities to participate in reconstruction projects. Many construction and infrastructure companies, as well as utilities and energy companies, have already expressed interest.

At the governmental level, a delegation led by Minister of Lands Won Hee-ryong is scheduled to visit Ukraine later this month, and a delegation from energy and factory companies, sent by the Korean Ministry of Industry, is due to arrive in Kyiv in October.

Such efforts have accelerated since President Yun Seok-yol made a surprise visit to Kyiv in July and pledged to provide Ukraine with a security and humanitarian aid package and support for post-war reconstruction.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 07/08/2023