Subscribe
E-Paper
 |
| South Korean Ambassador to Russia Woo Yoon-keun |
By Kim Bo-eun
South Korea is talking with Russia to arrange Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Seoul in the first half of next year, Ambassador to Russia Woo Yoon-keun said Thursday.
Russia earlier stated Putin's visit is slated for next year.
Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon delivered President Moon Jae-in's invitation to the Russian leader to visit Korea, when he attended the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok in September.
This came after Moon paid a visit to Moscow in June, the first of a South Korean leader to Russia in 19 years.
The ambassador's remarks were made during a press conference at the foreign ministry. Woo is among 181 ambassadors and consul generals visiting Seoul this week for an annual meeting.
Regarding the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia this year, Woo said this was unlikely.
Around September, it appeared as though Kim's visit to Russia was arranged, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Federation Council Chairman Valentino Matviyenko visiting Pyongyang. North Korea's Foreign Minister Choi Son-hui also visited Russia.
However, when asked about Choi's visit, the ambassador said none of the minister's meetings were disclosed.
"There had been expectations in Russia that Kim could visit in October and November," Woo said. "We hope for the visit to take place next year."
He cited the North Korean leader's many important events including his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump as well as Moon, as the reason Kim's visit will be later than expected.
The ambassador said Russia is cooperating well with China on relations with North Korea. "Moscow and Beijing are in step with sanctions relief for Pyongyang and they continue to refer to the principle that sanctions relief will take place in a step-by-step manner, according to the denuclearization steps North Korea takes," he said.
