A meeting was held at Ukraine’s Ministry for Communities and Territories Development with a delegation from the Republic of Korea to prepare a feasibility study for the construction of a high-speed railway between Kyiv and the Ukrainian border.
The meeting was attended by Ukraine’s Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories Development, Oleksii Balesta, and representatives of JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia.” The Korean side was represented by transport and engineering consulting experts, leadership from the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) office in Ukraine, and the Republic of Korea’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Keechang Park. During the meeting, the parties discussed the current status of the project, next steps for engaging consultants, and the strategic vision for developing a high-speed railway as part of Ukraine’s integration into the European Union transport network and post-war reconstruction.
“Rail transport today is a true example of the country’s resilience. But even in wartime, it is important not only to maintain the system but also to lay the foundation for its future development and recovery. We see the development of a high-speed railway not just as an infrastructure project, but as a key component of rebuilding and long-term development of Ukrainian railways, modernizing the country, and integrating it into the European transport space. We are sincerely grateful to the Korean side for their partnership, trust, expertise, and readiness to invest in Ukraine’s future,” emphasized Oleksii Balesta.
The project is being implemented under a grant from the Republic of Korea’s government, with a budget of $8 million, and involves preparing a comprehensive feasibility study for the development of high-speed passenger rail in Ukraine.
During the meeting, the parties discussed practical aspects of the feasibility study and key issues to be examined, including the importance of aligning with TEN-T development plans so that Ukraine’s future high-speed rail infrastructure can be integrated into the broader European transport system.
“The Republic of Korea sees many opportunities to be involved in Ukraine’s reconstruction. For us, this is not only about restoring what was destroyed but also about shaping Ukraine’s future. We understand how challenging the post-war path is, having gone through recovery and transformation ourselves. That is why we are happy to stand with Ukraine, assist in rebuilding, and work together to create a new, modern future,” said Ambassador Keechang Park.
The Ukrainian side emphasized its readiness for close coordination and collaboration with its partners.
