Press Statement
on the Outcome of Korea-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

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□ Minister Lavrov and journalists,

□ I once again sincerely welcome Minister Lavrov’s visit to Korea.

□ In today’s meeting, I and Minister Lavrov had in-depth discussions on ways to advance bilateral relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

□ We, the two Ministers, appreciated that the two countries have actively carried out high-level exchanges including five Korea-Russia summits for the past four years, and agreed to continue working together to arrange President Putin’s visit to Korea at the earliest possible time as the COVID-19 situation stabilizes.

In addition to summit diplomacy, the two sides also agreed to continue to facilitate high-level exchanges and cooperation between the governments and parliaments of the two countries.

□ We, the two Ministers, agreed to continue cooperation in the areas of “nine bridges” agreed upon by President Moon Jae-in and President Putin in 2017 as a framework for substantive cooperation between the two countries.

o Particularly, the two sides highly commended that the two countries are expanding cooperation in shipbuilding, including building icebreaking LNG carriers and LNG barges worth a total of 6 trillion won under the contract signed between Korea and Russia last year.

The two sides also agreed to work together for the industrial complex for Korean companies in Primorsky Krai to hold a ground-breaking ceremony within this year, which would become a symbol of Korea-Russia economic cooperation.

o The two sides agreed to continue cooperation to conclude a Korea-Russia FTA in the service and investment sectors as early as possible by accelerating related negotiations that are currently underway.

The two sides also agreed to work together to ensure the success of the 3rd Korea-Russia Interregional Cooperation Forum to be held in Ulsan in November this year so that the provincial governments of the two countries can continue a wide range of exchanges and cooperation.

□ We, the two Ministers, agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in disease prevention and control and public health, based on common understanding that solidarity and cooperation are of paramount importance in overcoming the global challenge of COVID-19.

o Highly appreciating Russia’s active participation in Korea’s “Northeast Asia Cooperation Initiative for Infectious Disease Control and Public Health,” the two sides agreed to continue working together in developing and implementing signature projects to make tangible progress in cooperation through a consultation among participating countries to be held on March 30.

□ Korea and Russia agreed to continue close communication and cooperation at various levels to advance the Korean Peninsula peace process.

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o The Korean government appreciates the Russian government’s various proposals to achieve complete denuclearization and establish permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula as well as its consistent support for efforts for improvement in inter-Korean relations and the Korean Peninsula peace process, and asked Russia to continue to play a constructive role.

□ The Korean government expressed deep concern over North Korea’s launch of projectiles that appear to be short-range ballistic missiles, as the Korean government is making numerous efforts to achieve the goal of complete denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula as early as possible.

o The Korean government urged North Korea to continue to join the ROK’s efforts to turn the Korean Peninsula into a “land of peace free from nuclear weapons and nuclear threats,” as agreed by the leaders of the ROK and North Korea in September 2018.

□ In today’s meeting, we, the two Ministers, agreed to continue to work actively together in our journey to further advance the future-oriented cooperative relations between Korea and Russia.

o We also shared the view that Korea’s cooperation with Russia through the New Northern Policy would contribute significantly to peace and co-prosperity in Eurasia.

□ I once again welcome Minister Lavrov’s visit to Korea.

□ Thank you. Спасибо!

/END/