By Reporter Anna Kim

Bang Moon-kyu, head of the Office for Gov’t Policy Coordination, attended the Ukraine Recovery Conference held in London, U.K., and expressed Korea's firm solidarity and support for the reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine on June 21 and 22.

The conference was held for the second time after last year's conference in Lugano, Switzerland.

The conference, attended by 61 countries including the G7 and EU, 33 international organizations, and more than 400 companies, reviewed the status of damage and recovery needs in Ukraine, and discussed reconstruction and recovery measures, including expanding private participation, based on the Ukrainian government's reconstruction and recovery plan.

On June 21, Bang expressed the Korean government's solidarity and support for Ukraine through a national speech, and introduced plans to provide an additional $130 million in aid this year, following the $100 million provided last year.

He also emphasized the importance of close international coordination and private sector participation in the reconstruction and recovery process.

He also noted that Korea's experience in post-war economic development can help Ukraine rebuild much-needed infrastructure and restore basic social services.

Bang also held bilateral meetings with key countries attending the conference and exchanged views on bilateral cooperation issues, including Ukraine's reconstruction.

During the meeting with Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Sviridenko, Bang reaffirmed the outcome of the bilateral summit held on May 21, 2018, and agreed to continue discussions on cooperation, including humanitarian assistance.

In a meeting with Trevillian, the UK's Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for India and the Pacific at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, they agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, building on the Letter of Intent for Development Cooperation signed in May.

Bang also met with Poland's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary for Development Cooperation, Mr. Emiliewicz, and the two countries agreed to jointly explore ways to cooperate in Ukraine's reconstruction and rehabilitation under the framework of close economic cooperation.

He also met with Ghana's Minister of Trade and Industry Hammond to discuss development cooperation projects between the two countries.

Secretary of State for National Security Affairs Visbyu Kyu will attend the "Paris Summit for a new global financing pact" in Paris on June 22 as a senior representative of the Korean government.