Dnipropetrovsk Investment Agency keeps introducing about the level of Ukraine and Dnipropetrovsk region cooperation with other countries amid the unprovoked military aggression by the russian federation. For now, we propose an overview of the assistance provided by the Kingdom of Belgium and the foreign trade volume figures, which is derived from DIABASE data.

The Republic of Korea has supported Ukraine since the start of russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Seoul has focused on providing humanitarian and financial assistance, and has also been active on international platforms in support of Ukraine, condemning russia’s aggression and supporting sanctions against russia.

Financial and humanitarian aid

In 2024, the total amount of aid from Korea to Ukraine amounted to approximately $400 million: $100 million for reconstruction; $200 million for humanitarian programs; $100 million through international organizations.

Korea transferred to Ukraine:

• several hundred ambulances and pickups for the State Emergency Service;
• hundreds of powerful electric generators and transformers for the energy system;
• portable X-ray machines, ultrasound machines, field first aid kits, and other important medical equipment.

In addition, 148 units of heavy engineering equipment were delivered in 2024: trucks, firefighting and combat engineering vehicles, construction equipment, and demining machines.

In 2025, the South Korean government announced $2.3 billion in long-term aid until 2027, a significant portion of which will be directed toward infrastructure restoration. In particular, $10 million has been allocated for infrastructure projects. The Korean Ministry of Economy and Finance has launched a new Economic Innovation Partnership Program (EIPP), which provides for:

• strategic consulting;
• project development and pre-project studies;
• up to 25 initiatives in cooperation with Ukraine over 4 years.

The Korean state corporation KIND has been implementing projects for the restoration of Ukraine for over two years, including:

• a transport master plan for the Kyiv region;
• plans for the reconstruction of airports;
• renovation of railway infrastructure.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Republic of Korea have launched a global initiative called “Relief, Employment and Vital Infrastructure for the Vulnerable in Emergencies” (REVIVE). $14 million will be allocated to strengthen the resilience of Ukrainian communities.

Technology and digital transformation

The Republic of Korea is a global leader in digital technology, and its participation in Ukraine’s digital projects is of paramount importance.

• Support for e-services and “Diia.” The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and Korean partners (in particular, the Ministry of Science and ICT and NIA – National Information Society Agency) have signed memorandum of cooperation. Korea provides expert support, especially in the areas of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, Smart City solutions, and the integration of government services through a single platform (similar to Korea’s Gov24).
• Restoration of telecommunications infrastructure. Due to constant shelling, Ukraine has suffered serious losses in its telecommunications infrastructure — communication towers, data processing centers, etc. In 2024–2025, Korea will provide mobile communication equipment, routers, and satellite internet systems (through Korean companies). There are also plans to deploy temporary mobile base stations (as in Donbas and the Kherson region) and to train Ukrainian technical specialists in rapid response.
• Educational and digital initiatives. The Republic of Korea supports projects for the digital education of Ukrainian teachers and students. For example, joint programs with the Korean Education & Research Information Service (KERIS), training in digital literacy, particularly for remote regions. In 2025, there are plans to launch a pilot project called “Digital School Ukraine-Korea” — joint classes and online exchanges between students from the two countries.
• Cybersecurity and protection of critical IT infrastructure. Korea is helping Ukraine strengthen the protection of state data processing centers, e-voting and e-payment systems, and energy facilities from hacker attacks. The cooperation involves Korean organizations such as KISA (Korea Internet & Security Agency) and the Cyber Operation Center of the Ministry of Defense.

Cooperation with Dnipropetrovsk region

In October 2024, thanks to cooperation with IOM, Korea launched a program to assist affected regions, in particular Dnipropetrovsk region:

• support for vulnerable groups (pensioners, IDPs);
• rebuilding infrastructure;
• more than 40,000 people in 24 communities covered;
• budget — $8.52 million.

In April 2025, 855 households in various regions of Ukraine received food packages and hygiene products thanks to the Korean International Health Foundation, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of the Republic of Korea, and the Korean Association ASADAL.

The Korea Corner exhibition was opened at the Ukrainian-Korean Center of the University of Customs and Finance, featuring unique artifacts donated by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea. It is a symbol of cultural friendship between the two countries.

Thanks to the efforts of the Director of the Ukrainian-Korean Center, Professor Cho Kwang Sun, a new batch of charitable aid was organized for military unit 3036 of the National Guard of Ukraine. The aid includes individual SE PRO TYPE first aid kits from the Korean company ES Group.

Also in 2025, the following equipment was provided:

• a modern C-arm X-ray machine to the family health center;
• 20 tractors with attachments — to 10 communities;
• three state-of-the-art mobile water quality monitoring laboratories from Korean partners — to basin water resource management authorities in frontline regions, including Dnipropetrovsk;
• an energy storage system — to a school in the Dniprovskyi district.

On the initiative of the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets, KOICA and UNICEF opened the first Child Rights Protection Center in eastern Ukraine. The center will help children who have been deported, lost their parents or homes, experienced combat or violence, or suffered severe emotional trauma due to the war.

Foreign trade

The Republic of Korea remains an important trading partner for Dnipropetrovsk region. The level of partnership is evidenced by a bilateral analysis of foreign activity.

Korean companies are most interested in ferrous metal products, optical and photographic instruments and devices, machinery and equipment, aircraft, etc. The volume of exports from Dnipropetrovsk region amounted to $2.3 million. Compared to 2023, the volume of exports from Dnipropetrovsk region decreased by 3 times.

10 enterprises in the Dnipropetrovsk region exported their products to the Korean market, including enterprises in the metallurgical complex, chemical, processing industries, and agribusiness.

TOP 5 exporters by volume of exported products:

In turn, about 200 importers in the region purchased mostly Korean goods, namely: machinery and mechanisms, essential oils, tools, cutlery, and others. Imports of goods from Korea to Dnipropetrovsk region increased by 34.2% and amounted to $70.9 million. The region’s share in Ukraine’s imports of goods from the Republic of Korea is 9.2%.

TOP 5 importers by volume of imported products:

Import operations were mainly carried out by enterprises in the metallurgical and processing industries and trading enterprises.

Source: the information for this article was taken from open online sources and the website of the Main Department of Statistics in Dnipropetrovsk region.