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Seoul's new envoy to Russia vows to speed up gas pipeline project
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Feb. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new ambassador to Russia said on Wednesday that he is committed to implementing the envisioned South Korea-North Korea-Russia natural gas pipeline.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agreed at their 2008 summit in Moscow to cooperate on building a tripartite gas pipeline involving North Korea. But the agreement has yet to be realized, as Pyongyang has failed to respond amid chilly inter-Korean relations.
Ambassador Lee Youn-ho, who accompanied President Lee on the Russian trip in his capacity as knowledge economy minister, said that the three-nation gas pipeline project, if realized, will be very meaningful "economically and politically."
"If the South Korea-Russia gas pipeline can pass through North Korea, it can be linked to the construction of electric power and railway networks (in North Korea)," said Ambassador Lee.
Lee then called for significant improvement of ties between South Korea and Russia, claiming the two are now more ready and fit than ever to forge a relationship that will be mutually beneficial.
"They (Korea-Russia ties) are underdeveloped. There are many areas where we must improve ties. We must do so in the economic, political and defense sectors and I believe the cultural sector is also an area where we can improve our relations," Lee said in a meeting with reporters here on the sidelines of an annual conference for the heads of South Korea's diplomatic missions.
He is set to take the country's top diplomatic post in Moscow on Feb. 28.
"I believe the countries are now at a stage where they can objectively view each other and seek cooperation at a realistic level," he told reporters.
"Russia is definitely a land of opportunity for us."
The new ambassador to Russia noted Seoul-Moscow relations significantly improved since President Lee and his Russian counterpart Medvedev agreed to upgrade the countries' ties from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic cooperative partnership at a summit in September 2008.
"I believe the relationship will be further upgraded this year through various events scheduled to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of ties, including President Medvedev's trip to South Korea," he said.
Lee noted Russia is a valuable friend and ally in six-nation talks aimed at ridding North Korea of its nuclear weapons programs.
"In regard to the North Korean nuclear issue, there is no difference of opinion between Russia and our government. Russia is taking a stance that is very supportive of our position," he said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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