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피터빈트

Ruling party chief leaves for Russia for talks on security, trade

By Yonhap

Published : Dec. 11, 2017 - 15:30

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The leader of South Korea's ruling Democratic Party embarked on an eight-day trip to Russia on Monday for talks with top Moscow officials over North Korea's nuclear standoff, economic cooperation and other bilateral issues.

Choo Mi-ae's visit as the chairwoman of the South Korea-Russia Interparliamentary Council is part of her initiative to support the government's efforts to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with major countries, including the United States, China and Japan. 

"Russia has recently been keeping close economic cooperation with our country, and bilateral diplomatic relations at a parliamentary level have also been being strengthened," she told reporters before departing.

Choo Mi-ae, the leader of the ruling Democratic Party, speaks during a meeting with reporters at the Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on Dec. 11, 2017. (Yonhap) Choo Mi-ae, the leader of the ruling Democratic Party, speaks during a meeting with reporters at the Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on Dec. 11, 2017. (Yonhap)

"As Russia is part of international collaboration in resolving the North's nuclear threat, I will try to create opportunities for cooperation (on the issue)," she added.

Choo is set to meet a series of influential parliamentary and government officials such as Russia's State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin, Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev and East Development Minister Alexander Galushka.

During her talks with Volodin, the speaker of the lower house of Russia's parliament, Choo is expected to seek enhanced cooperation between their legislatures in ensuring peace on the Korean Peninsula and expanding bilateral economic exchanges, her aide said.

At her meetings with Trutnev and Galushka, Choo plans to seek cooperation in pushing for a free trade agreement between South Korea and the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union, a customs union consisting of Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Choo is also set to meet Russia legislators to explore ways to ensure practical cooperation between the countries' legislatures.

She, in addition, will hold talks with South Korean businesspeople operating in Russia to listen to their difficulties and meet with leaders of Saint Petersburg to call for their active support for South Korean companies.

She is also to use her visit to encourage Russian athletes to compete in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics as neutral individuals, despite a ban on Russia competing over its state-sponsored doping.

Choo recently visited the US and China. She plans to visit Japan early next year. (Yonhap)

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