1. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong Kun met with Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Korea Andrey Kulik on the afternoon of October 12 and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, including the development of the ROK-Russia relations, cooperation on the international stage including the selection of the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

2. The two sides shared the understanding that the ROK-Russia relations have developed steadily in various areas over the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1990 and, in particular, took note that the two countries have continued close communication at each level, including the telephone conversation between the Presidents of the two countries on September 28 even amid the COVID-19 situation.

° The two sides agreed to hold numerous events in joint efforts to make people of both countries feel closer to each other, as they had agreed to extend “the year of ROK-Russia mutual exchanges” until next year.

3. Vice Minister Choi voiced hope that, while overcoming the COVID-19 situation with Russia, the ROK’s core partner for the New Northern Policy, the two countries would continue to develop their friendly and cooperative relations more substantially by holding regular consultative meetings such as the ROK-Russia Vice Ministerial Strategic Dialogue.

° In particular, Vice Minister Choi welcomed the recent resumption of regular flights between the ROK and Russia even amid the difficult situation and expressed hope that bilateral cooperation would expand and strengthen in such areas as disease prevention and control as well as health and medical care in the course of overcoming the shared COVID-19 crisis.

° Ambassador Kulik took note of the ROK as a significant cooperative partner in the Asia-Pacific region, adding that Russia stands ready to continue bolstering cooperation with the ROK for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula as well as for the development of the bilateral relations.

4. Vice Minister Choi asked for the Russian government’s support for Minister for Trade Yoo Myung-hee, who had advanced to the final round of the selection process for the next WTO Director-General.

5. The two sides agreed to continue close communication on the situation in the region, including the Korean Peninsula, as well as bilateral issues.