1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se will visit Russia on June 12 and 13.

2. Minister Yun’s official schedule in Moscow on June 13 will include meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister; signing a plan for exchanges between the Foreign Ministries of the Republic of Korea and Russia; holding a joint press release: and attending the luncheon to be hosted by the Russian Foreign Minister.

° In the third bilateral Foreign Ministers’ meeting in 2016, the two sides will focus on issues concerning the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea and its nuclear program. Also on the agenda will be ways to promote friendship and cooperation between the ROK and Russia as well as the situation in the region.

3. Minister Yun’s visit to Russia will mark his first since his taking up the current post and the first by an ROK Foreign Minister in five years. It is expected to contribute to efforts to move the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership substantially forward, including in coordination on the North Korean nuclear issue as well as building connectivity between the ROK’s Eurasian Initiative and Russia’s new oriental policy.

° In particular, the Minister’s visit, like his recent visits to Iran, Uganda and Cuba, will come as part of ongoing efforts to intensify the momentum of diplomacy aimed at drawing global pressure on North Korea.


* unofficial translation