The Russian Embassy in Seoul organized a welcome reception for Koreans taking part in academic, cultural and business dealings with Russia last Thursday at the embassy in northern Seoul.

Titled “A friendly reception for specialists in Russian studies,” the event is held annually to honor various individuals who are devoted to promoting Korea-Russia relations in Russian studies, language, literature, culture, economy and diplomacy. Some 200 invitees filled the main hall, a gold and ivory classical-style interior.

Russian Ambassador to Korea Konstantin Vnukov gave a speech highlighting the 24-year bilateral relations between Korea and Russia, and Russian singer Natalia Kirillova and Korean singer Lee Yeon-seong sang various songs celebrating the cultural exchanges between the two countries.

“Today’s reception is a very traditional event arranged in the season of good harvest in the fall, as our diplomatic relations have borne fruitful results over the years,” Ambassador Vnukov told The Korea Herald.

“All the great achievements reached in our relations are the results of the concerted efforts of all participants that have gathered here.”

Vnukov said the efforts of people specializing in Russian language, literature and other fields are much needed for understanding what is happening inside Russia and around it. With the majority of Western media pitted against President Putin’s foreign policies, particularly over the situation in Ukraine and former Soviet Union countries, he said the civilian sectors can play a role in projecting a more balanced image of the diplomatic developments in the Far East.

“Russia is a unique country in that it can have a very positive impact on the normalization of North and South Korea relations,” he said, noting that the trilateral cooperation of the three countries will encompass “very serious and important spheres” in railway infrastructure, natural gas supplies and hydroelectricity.

Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of official diplomatic relations between Russia and South Korea. This year marks the 130th anniversary of the signing of the first diplomatic document between the two countries -- the Russia–Korea Treaty of 1884, also known as the “treaty of friendship and commerce.”

According to Ministry of Strategy and Finance data, the trade volume between the two countries has soared 52-fold since official diplomatic relations were established in 1992, recording near $10 billion last year.

By Joel Lee (joel@heraldcorp.com)