Envoy hopes for Russia's expanded role with North Korea
By Yi Whan-woo
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Woo Yoon-keun
South Korea’s new Ambassador to Russia Woo Yoon-keun said Wednesday he expects Russia to play an expanded role in resolving the North Korea nuclear crisis.
While meeting with reporters prior to his departure to Moscow next week, Woo also said he is confident that the three-way economic cooperation among the two Koreas and Russia will make headway soon in line with President Moon Jae-in’s campaign pledge.
“It’s difficult to explain in detail, but I think Russia can play a crucial role regarding North Korea’s nuclear crisis,” he said.
He speculated that Russia may be behind North Korea’s move to refrain from making military provocations lately.
“I don’t have detailed information, but Moscow is believed be playing a role in the matter.”
The presidential committee was set up under the Moon administration to resume the economic cooperation among the two Koreas and Russia, including the transportation of Siberia-produced coal to South Korea via the North.
The committee’s job is in line with Moon’s pledge to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula through the three-way cooperation.
“The committee is yet to make its announcement on its roadmap. But it is making diversified efforts while complying with the international sanctions on North Korea,” Woo said.
He vowed to increase the number of people involved in South Korea-Russia exchanges to 1 million by 2020, up from 500,000 this year.
“It is my belief that such exchanges should include frequent visits of high-profile figures from both countries,” he said.
He mainly attributed Seoul’s less-than-expected economic cooperation with Moscow to international sanctions on Russia as well as its annexation of Crimea.
“Those outside factors have influenced the bilateral economic relations. And we’re still having difficulty,” he said.
Woo Yoon-keun, also Moon’s aide and former secretary-general of the National Assembly, plans to visit Russian Ambassador to Korea Alexander Timonin next week with a couple of lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties.