Discussion on Resuming Korea-Russia Local Government Exchanges and Strengthening Arctic Shipping Route Cooperation
Proposals for Cooperation Including Regularization of the Pohang-Vladivostok Cruise Route
On August 20, Kangduk Lee, Mayor of Pohang, met with Georgy Zinoviev, Russian Ambassador to Korea, and Oksana Dudnik, Russian Consul General in Busan, who visited Pohang to discuss the resumption of intergovernmental exchanges between Korea and Russia and ways to expand cooperation on the Arctic shipping route.
On the 20th, Georgy Zinoviev, Russian Ambassador to Korea, and Oksana Dudnik, Russian Consul General in Busan, visited Pohang to discuss the resumption of exchanges and ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. (From left, Oksana Dudnik, Russian Consul General in Busan; Kangduk Lee, Mayor; Georgy Zinoviev, Russian Ambassador to Korea) Provided by Pohang City
On that day, Ambassador Zinoviev visited Pohang Yeongil New Port, toured the terminal facilities and logistics infrastructure, and received a detailed briefing on the port's operations and development plans.
Both sides shared concerns about the recent suspension of Korea-Russia exchanges, and the city raised the need to regularize forums and restore cooperation systems. They also proposed specific cooperation projects, such as regularizing the Pohang-Vladivostok international cruise route, which was piloted in 2019, and resuming exports of automobile parts through Yeongilman Port.
Ambassador Georgy Zinoviev stated, "Pohang has great potential as a strategic hub connecting Russia's Far East and the East Sea coast. In particular, there is significant potential for cooperation in the shipping and logistics sectors, and we will actively work to expand exchanges in various fields going forward."
Mayor Kangduk Lee said, "I hope that government and private experts from Russia will participate in the Arctic Shipping Route Forum to be held this November so that we can explore practical cooperation measures. Through continued communication with the Russian Embassy, we will work to restore trust between local governments and continue diplomatic efforts to rebuild our cooperative relationship."
Pohang City has maintained steady exchanges with Russia's Far East regions, including Vladivostok, Khasansky District, Khabarovsk, and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, and is strengthening cooperation in port, logistics, and energy sectors in preparation for the era of the Arctic shipping route.
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