On the Ukrainian side, the meeting included Deputy Minister Oleksii Balesta and Ukrainian Railways (UZ) management. The South Korean delegation included transport and engineering consultants, officials from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) office in Ukraine, and Ambassador Kichang Park, the ministry said.
The study is funded through a grant from the South Korean government. It will produce a comprehensive feasibility study for the development of high-speed passenger rail service in Ukraine.
Officials discussed the project’s status, next steps for engaging consultants and a strategic vision for the railway as part of Ukraine’s integration into the European Union’s transport network and postwar reconstruction. They emphasized the importance of aligning the project with the EU’s Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) so future Ukrainian high-speed infrastructure can connect with Europe’s transport system.
“South Korea sees many opportunities to be involved in Ukraine’s reconstruction. For us, this is not only about rebuilding what was destroyed, but about shaping Ukraine’s future. We understand how difficult the path after a war can be, because we went through recovery and transformation ourselves,” Park said.
Earlier, Ukraine signed a deal to buy 20 high-speed electric
trains produced in South Korea.