Korea-Russia Summit Due
By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak will begin a four-day visit to Moscow Sunday for a summit with Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev, Cheong Wa Dae announced Monday.
``Through the summit which will take place on Sept. 29, the two leaders will seek ways to boost economic and diplomatic cooperation between South Korea and Russia,'' presidential spokesman Lee Dong-kwan said. ``They will also discuss measures to promote peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia.''
During his stay, Lee will meet with former Russian President Vladimir Putin who currently serves as prime minister and visit Khurunichev State Research and Production Space Center.
Lee will fly to Saint Petersburg on Sept. 30 to receive an honorary doctorate from Saint Petersburg State University and deliver a speech to students on the future of Korea-Russia relations. He will return to Seoul on Oct. 1.
This is the first time for Lee to visit Russia since his inauguration in late February. Medvedev became the new Russian president on May 7, replacing Putin. Their first summit took place during the G8 summit in Hokkaido in July.
Seoul officials hoped the summit in Moscow will be a crucial opportunity for the leaders to discuss regional security issues, including North Korea's nuclear program. It will also pave the way for more investment opportunities in Russia for South Korean enterprises, they said.
Lee will be accompanied by 33 business leaders, including Federation of Korean Industries Chairman Cho Suck-rai, Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Mong-koo, SK Group Chairman Chey Tai-won, LG Group Chairman Koo Bon-moo and Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin.
Representing the financial sector will be Woori Financial Group Chairman Lee Pal-sung, Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Ra Eung-chan and Export-Import Bank of Korea President Jin Dong-soo.
``The chief executives will meet with Russian officials and businessmen and discuss ways to strengthen Korea's participation in energy and infrastructure development in Russia,'' spokesman Lee said.