Ukraine and the Republic of Korea strengthen cooperation in medical rehabilitation and humanitarian support for war-affected individuals

Minister of Health Viktor Liashko held a meeting with representatives of the South Korean international charitable organisation Good Friends International (GFI) to strengthen cooperation in the healthcare sector, primarily in rehabilitation and the implementation of humanitarian medical projects.

Deputy Minister of Health Yevhenii Honchar also joined the meeting. From the GFI side, participation was taken by senior representatives of the organisation and medical experts from South Korea.

During the negotiations, the parties agreed to begin preparations for signing a memorandum of cooperation. It is planned that one of the key areas of future interaction will be the exchange of experience in rehabilitation. In particular, discussions focused on the possibility of Ukrainian doctors undergoing internships in South Korean medical facilities to exchange practical experience in organising rehabilitation care.

In this context, they also discussed prospects for introducing modern approaches to treating patients with combat injuries, including the use of digital solutions for therapy of post-traumatic disorders.

Minister of Health Viktor Liashko thanked the South Korean partners for their consistent support of Ukraine and the assistance provided since the start of the full-scale invasion.

“We highly value the efforts of our partners from the Republic of Korea, who are supporting the Ukrainian healthcare system during an extraordinarily difficult time. Through joint efforts, we are shaping a strong and modern healthcare system capable of providing quality care even in the most challenging conditions,” Viktor Liashko stated.

In particular, the GFI organisation has been actively working in Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion and is already implementing a number of initiatives in Ukraine aimed at supporting the healthcare system and assisting those affected by the war.

Overall, in 2024–2025, GFI transferred medical drugs and equipment worth over USD 2.7 million, provided support to eight hospitals in the most affected regions, and launched a programme for treating combat injuries with the support of the Government of the Republic of Korea.

The Ministry of Health of Ukraine continues systematic work on developing rehabilitation care and introducing modern approaches in the medical field. Cooperation with Good Friends International will become another step towards strengthening the capacity of the Ukrainian healthcare system to respond to the challenges of war and ensure quality recovery of patients’ health (both military and civilian) according to the best global standards.