K-water ramps up Ukraine reconstruction projects

Yun Seog-dae, right, CEO of Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-water), talks with Oleksandr Korniyenko, first deputy speaker of the Ukrainian parliament, during a meeting on the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin, Germany, which ran from Tuesday to Wednesday. Courtesy of K-water

Yun Seog-dae, CEO of Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-water), has participated in the Ukraine Recovery Conference, promoting K-water's commitment to reconstruction projects in the war-torn nation, according to the state-run water management company, Thursday.

The international event, which took place in Berlin from Tuesday to Wednesday (local time), was dedicated to discussions on the rebuilding and reconstruction priorities of Ukraine, which is still struggling with the Russian invasion started in February 2022.

Yun's participation was arranged at the invitation of the Ukrainian government, which has been closely collaborating with K-water on major reconstruction projects since last July.

On the sidelines of the conference, Yun held separate meetings with high-ranking Ukrainian officials, including the vice speaker of the Ukrainian parliament, the governor of Kyiv Oblast and the mayors of Bucha and Truskavets. He also discussed funding options with the director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

During the meetings, the K-water CEO shared some achievements made through cooperation with the Ukrainian government and local governments in urban reconstruction and water infrastructure.

In particular, Yun shared development plans for industrial complexes in two regions of key post-war reconstruction projects — Horodok in Lviv Oblast and Bucha, a satellite city of Kyiv. He also discussed ways to expand the current emergency water facility support project in Truskavets to a "modernization of aging water supply systems" project.

He also proposed broadening the cooperation to address the nation's long-term water infrastructure needs by introducing water quality monitoring systems to tackle climate change.

K-water said it is also committed to providing immediate humanitarian aid to the war-torn nation. Earlier this month, Yun signed a memorandum of understanding with the mayor of Truskavets for urgent provision of drinking water facilities that are capable of serving 14,000 people per day.

By as early as December, the company will install a mobile water treatment facility in the city, with a capacity of processing 100 tons of water per day.

"The cooperation on reconstruction is not only the beginning for the restoration of peace and prosperity in Ukraine but also an important opportunity for Korea to secure global leadership in the water sector," Yun said.

"By forming close partnerships with Ukraine, we will expand the foothold for Korean companies to actively contribute to Ukraine's restoration. We will also do our best to ensure that our water resources and urban reconstruction cooperation become a key diplomatic asset for Korea to become a global pivotal state."