SEOUL: –South Korea's chief envoy to Ukraine and several other embassy workers have returned to Kiev to resume operations, Seoul’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in March, South Korean embassy staff were evacuated from the capital and assigned to a temporary office in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, according to state media report.

Amb. Kim Hyung-tae and some embassy staff have returned to Kiev in preparation for work there beginning Monday, according to the ministry, which added that the remaining staff will be returned in stages.  "They intend to carry out diplomatic tasks and defend (South Korean) nationals in closer coordination with the Ukrainian administration," the statement stated.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken promised a gradual return of American diplomats to Kiev during his visit to Ukraine last week.

Evacuation from Mariupol's Azovstal underway: Zelensky

Cyprus inflation surpasses all-time-high due to Ukraine crisis

Saudi Arabia agrees to pay USD 8 billion package to Pakistan