Moscow still courting Park to Russia

By Kang Seung-woo

Russia’s continuous wooing of President Park Geun-hye to visit Moscow is reigniting prospects for a possible meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Since Russian President Vladimir Putin invited the leaders of both Koreas and other heads of state to Moscow to celebrate the Soviet Union’s part in its victory over Germany in World War II, Cheong Wa Dae has reviewed Park’s possible attendance at the May 9 event.

North Korea watchers say that President Park is likely to decide to travel to Russia because her potential meeting with the North Korean leader will help her break through current diplomatic difficulties. However, the expected absence of U.S. President Barack Obama remains a sticking point.

Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, Sunday, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, and Lavrov expressed the hope that Park would visit for the 70th anniversary of the end of the World War II in Europe, according to the ministry.

Yun responded that Seoul has been reflecting on the invitation comprehensively, it added.

“President Park’s attendance will be decided at the very last phase in the run-up to the ceremony,“ Yun told reporters there.

“We will take into account the tight presidential schedule and the international situation.“

In response to the invitation, the Kremlin confirmed on Jan. 28 that the North Korean leader will be coming to Moscow ― his first foreign trip since taking power just over three years ago ― although Pyongyang has yet to officially announce the trip.

“The participation of the North Korean leader was confirmed, we are getting ready for his arrival,” said Dmitry Peskov, President Putin’s spokesman.

However, Yun said that the government will review Park’s trip to Moscow, irrespective of Kim’s visit.

“Kim’s visit is irrelevant to our decision,“ said the foreign minister.

The presidential office did not comment on the issue.

An Chan-il head of the World Institute for North Korea Studies, said that President Park will take the invitation seriously in a situation, where she is required to show something impressive in her third year in office.

“A thaw in inter-Korean relations is the only way that will help the beleaguered president regain public trust,“ he said.

“Should the leaders of two Koreas meet in Russia, there is a chance for the meeting to evolve into a summit in June or July. The North Korean leader also needs improvement in relations with the South.“

President Park also values the South’s ties with Russia in terms of economic cooperation under her “Eurasia Initiative“ that is seeking to connect transportation and energy infrastructure from Asia through Russia to Europe, added An.

However, despite the opportunity, President Park is not likely to easily commit to the trip because the U.S. President is unlikely to travel to Russia.

“As Washington is not on good terms with Moscow due to the latter’s annexation of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine, Park may have to consider the situation behind the ROK-U.S. alliance,“ said the analyst.

“In addition, the U.S. probably does not want the South to get closer to Russia.“