The Ukrainian Embassy here was open on May 25 to receive Ukrainians casting ballots for its presidential election, in which a pro-West billionaire emerged the winner.

By midday on the drizzly Sunday, more than half of the 230 Ukrainians who are registered to vote had cast their ballots, including the country’s top diplomat, at the chancery in Itaewon, Seoul.

“The election for the president is one of the main preconditions for further development of Ukraine and is a key step to normalization and stabilization of the situation in the country,” said Ukrainian Ambassador to South Korea Vasyl Marmazov. “Any calls to disrupt or to postpone the election should be seen as attempts to prevent the stabilization of the internal processes in Ukraine.”

Petro Poroshenko leads the mammoth confectionery company Roshen, which earned him the bulk of his fortune ― as well as his nickname, “The Chocolate King.” The name Roshen is derived from the new president’s name, “Po-roshen-ko.” The conglomerate rakes in over $1 billion in revenue annually, and is ranked No. 18 of the top 100 candy companies in the world. The candy is difficult to find in South Korea, but can be bought at some stores in the Dongdaemun area of Seoul.

The incoming chief executive has promised to sell his stake in the company to avoid any conflicts of interest or future impropriety.

(ephilip2014@heraldcorp.com)