The South Korean government has included $100 million in the draft state budget for 2027 to support Ukraine. The funds are planned to be directed through the NATO trust fund, to humanitarian programs, and to help those affected by the war. The decision was made despite the ongoing diplomatic conflict between Kyiv and Seoul over the transfer of captured North Korean servicemen.

This was reported by the South Korean publication The JoongAng, citing the office of the chairman of the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs and unification, Son Seok Jun, as well as diplomatic sources.

According to the publication, the request to include the corresponding expenditures in the budget was submitted by the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The funding is supposed to ensure the fulfillment of the promise made by President Lee Jae Myung in July 2026 during the NATO summit.

The planned assistance is to be distributed among three main areas.

  • $50 million — South Korea's contribution to the NATO trust fund to support Ukraine. In 2026, $16.7 million was allocated for these purposes.
  • $20 million — humanitarian aid, including projects in energy, healthcare, and education. Compared to the current year, funding will increase fourfold.
  • $30 million — support for Ukraine under the program of assistance to states affected by armed conflicts.

The NATO trust fund has been operating since 2016. Its funds are used to rebuild Ukraine and meet non-lethal needs related to the consequences of Russian aggression.

South Korea began making contributions to the fund in 2024. Priority areas were the rehabilitation of Ukrainian servicemen and the creation of appropriate medical infrastructure.

According to the South Korean Foreign Ministry, in 2024–2025 Seoul provided a total of $34 million through this mechanism. Funding of the corresponding projects continues in 2026 as well.

The humanitarian component of the new package provides for support for Ukraine's energy, medical, and education systems. Assistance may be provided in the form of equipment and other necessary materials through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), as well as through funding of programs of international organizations, including the UN Development Program.

The proposed $20 million for Ukraine accounts for about 11% of South Korea's total humanitarian aid budget planned for next year.

Another $30 million is provided under a broader program of support for countries affected by conflicts. The total budget in this area is about $74 million, of which about 40% is planned to be allocated to Ukraine.

Among possible areas are assistance to internally displaced persons and projects related to searching for missing persons. Specific programs are expected to be selected after consultations with the Ukrainian authorities and international organizations.

Such a mechanism will make it possible to combine urgent humanitarian assistance with long-term projects, implementation of which can continue for three to four years.

However, the increase in financial support occurs against the backdrop of serious disagreements between Ukraine and South Korea. The diplomatic conflict arose after Volodymyr Zelensky's public announcement about the transfer to Seoul of two North Korean servicemen captured by Ukraine during the fighting against Russia.

On September 23, the President of Ukraine spoke about this during his speech at the UN General Assembly. The South Korean side stated that information about the transfer of prisoners of war was supposed to remain confidential.

President of South Korea Lee Jae Myung accused Kyiv of violating the agreement on non-disclosure of information. In Seoul, the need for confidentiality was explained by security concerns for the servicemen themselves and their relatives.

The Ukrainian side rejected the accusations. The Office of the President of Ukraine stated that there was no agreement prohibiting disclosure of the fact of prisoners' transfer.

In October, the diplomatic conflict escalated. South Korea recalled its ambassador from Ukraine, and then announced the recall of part of the staff of its diplomatic mission.

In Seoul, there are concerns that continued disagreements may complicate the practical implementation of aid programs and participation of South Korean companies in the future reconstruction of Ukraine.

Chairman of the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs Son Seok Jun called on the government to prevent the diplomatic conflict from erasing the results of previous cooperation.

According to him, Seoul needs to build relations with Kyiv taking into account long-term national interests, including prospects for participation of South Korean business in rebuilding Ukrainian infrastructure.

At the same time, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed its intention to continue supporting Ukraine.

The ministry spokesperson emphasized that the government, as a responsible member of the international community, intends to maintain its principled position on assistance to Ukraine.

The proposed $100 million is currently part of the draft budget for 2027. Final funding will depend on the passage of budgetary procedures. Inclusion of funds in the draft does not mean that they have already been transferred to Ukraine.

Based on materials from: The JoongAng, Korea JoongAng Daily.