Korea to share post-war rebuilding know-how with Ukraine

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Tue, October 3, 2023 | 09:41

Politics

Korea to share post-war rebuilding know-how with Ukraine

Posted : 2023-05-17 20:24

Updated : 2023-05-17 20:54

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, second from right, and Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine's first vice prime minister, second from left, attend a meeting at Seoul Government Complex in Gwanghwamun, Wednesday. Courtesy of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

By Lee Kyung-min

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong promised Wednesday to share Korea's post-war reconstruction know-how with Ukraine which is looking forward to fortifying bilateral cooperation for rapid post-war recovery and economic growth, the land ministry said Wednesday.

Won met with Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine's first vice prime minister who doubles as minister of economic development and trade, to discuss post-war rebuilding of the Eastern European country. The high-level meeting came on the heels of a similar one-on-one between Won and Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska.

Won expressed hope that the war would come to an end as soon as possible followed by peace.

"Today's meeting will further fortify bilateral cooperation between Korea and Ukraine," Won said during the meeting at Seoul Government Complex in Gwanghwamun, Wednesday. It was organized at Svyrydenko's request. "Korea will actively cooperate with Ukraine to assist Ukraine's recovery."

Won further said Korea is ready to provide Ukraine with a "platform," or its rapid growth strategy based on knowledge accumulated over the past few decades.

"Korea's experience and know-how on smart city planning, high-tech industrial complex construction and IT-powered transport networks will be shared, an opportunity for Korea's East European peer to learn from Korea's case and further develop their own models," he said.

Svyrydenko in response said Korea's offer of help is much appreciated.

"We are aware of Korea's internationally recognized experience in post-war recovery," she said. "We look forward to strengthening cooperation with Korea."

Wednesday's meeting is the latest development in the post-war planning talks between the two countries, after Won pledged the ministry's support during a press conference the day before.

At the conference, Won said Korea will provide resources and decades of experience to expedite the rebuilding of Ukraine.

Specifics of the assistance will be outlined during the OECD's International Transport Forum (ITF) next week.

Won will attend the 2023 ITF Summit on Transport Enabling Sustainable Economies next week in Leipzig, Germany.

Government officials from around the world will attend a session to discuss ways to assist Ukraine.

The land minister said Korea should join the global move to provide assistance, because many advanced economies have already identified their roles and the areas to help, including G7 member nations as well as the European Union.

lkm@koreatimes.co.kr