Korea and Russia Actively Cooperate for Swift Resumption of North Korea Nuclear Negotiations

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] South Korea and Russia have agreed to actively cooperate for the prompt resumption of North Korea nuclear negotiations.

Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong attended the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee's audit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held at the National Assembly on the 20th and responded to lawmakers' questions. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 28th that Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong, who visited Moscow to attend the closing ceremony of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Russia, held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the 27th (local time) and discussed bilateral relations, the Korean Peninsula, and international issues.

After the meeting, Minister Chung said in a press briefing, “We agreed on the urgency of resolving the North Korean nuclear issue and decided that both countries will closely communicate and cooperate at all levels to promptly restart the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.” He added, “Both sides shared the recognition that stable management of the situation on the Korean Peninsula is of utmost importance at this time and exchanged views on various cooperation measures for the early resumption of dialogue with North Korea.”

Minister Lavrov also said in a briefing, “We discussed in detail the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the entire Northeast Asia,” emphasizing, “Both sides agreed that there is no alternative to resolving all regional issues politically and diplomatically.”

Lavrov explained, “The need for all relevant countries to resume the negotiation process was emphasized,” and “It was also mentioned that it is particularly important for all parties involved to refrain from actions that could escalate tensions.”

A senior official who attended the meeting said that Russia also expressed active support for South Korea’s proposal for a declaration to formally end the Korean War as a way to create momentum for restarting the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.

Regarding the evaluation of current economic cooperation between the two countries, Minister Chung introduced, “Despite the COVID-19 situation, trade volume between the two countries in the third quarter of this year increased by more than 47% compared to the same period last year, showing a clear recovery trend. We agreed to further activate economic cooperation between the two countries in the post-COVID era.”

Both sides agreed during the talks on the need to continuously promote the '9 Bridges' project, a cooperation initiative in nine sectors including energy, infrastructure, shipbuilding, and healthcare, which the two countries have been pursuing.

Additionally, they agreed to promptly promote President Vladimir Putin’s visit to South Korea once the COVID-19 situation stabilizes.

Meanwhile, the Korea-Russia foreign ministers’ meeting was held for about three hours from noon at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ guesthouse in downtown Moscow. The two ministers also attended the closing ceremony of the Korea-Russia Mutual Exchange Year event commemorating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations that evening.

Furthermore, Minister Chung visited the Russian Federation Council on the same day and exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula with Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council.

Minister Chung requested Deputy Chairman Kosachev, who has served as chairman of the foreign affairs committees of both the upper and lower houses, to play a constructive role in advancing the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.