“Ukraine and South Korea have great potential for mutually beneficial cooperation, but without consistent and systematic engagement in this country — taking into account its complex domestic political landscape and external factors — we risk losing opportunities that could advance our strategic goals.”

Nataliya Butyrska, Associate Senior Analyst at the New Europe Center, examines why, despite shared security challenges, South Korea and Ukraine have not yet become full-fledged allies.

The author explains that South Korea’s internal political divisions, economic interests, and pressure from Moscow limit its readiness for deeper cooperation with Kyiv, reducing its support largely to the humanitarian level. At the same time, despite these constraints, significant partnership potential exists — particularly in the area of security and experience-sharing — which remains unrealised due to the lack of systematic political engagement.

Read more on the Mirror of the Week via the link (in Ukrainian).

The material was prepared based on the findings of an advocacy visit by the New Europe Center team to South Korea, supported by the International Renaissance Foundation.