By Kang Seung-woo
President Park Geun-hye will visit Vladivostok, Russia, next month for a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Cheong Wa Dae announced, Wednesday, with the planned deployment of a U.S. missile shield in Korea expected to be high on the agenda.
“At the invitation of President Putin, President Park will travel to Russia on Sept. 2 and 3,” the presidential office said in a statement.
However, the date for the summit has not been fixed yet.
Park is repaying the visit after Putin traveled to Korea in November 2013. The face-to-face talks will be their fourth since she took office in February 2013.
Although Park’s office did not mention, their summit will include discussions about the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) to be stationed on Korean soil by next year.
Russia as well as China has strongly opposed THAAD deployment, claiming the U.S. anti-missile defense system will escalate regional military tensions and hurt their security interests.
In response to Korea’s plan, there is speculation that Moscow may deploy missile and ground units in eastern Russia to counter THAAD’s influence.
Along with THAAD, the two heads of state will discuss North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, while seeking ways to boost bilateral ties.
While in Russia, Park also plans to attend the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), where she will deliver a keynote speech.