Russian president offers support for inter-Korean rapprochement

President Kim Dae-Jung and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Tuesday and agreed to work together to improve South-North relations, establish a cooperative three-way relationship between South and North Korea and Russia and work to advance the regional economy. The two leaders also agreed that the development, export and deployment of missiles on the Korean peninsula, which has aroused concern from other nations, would have to be resolved expeditiously.

Presidents Kim and Putin met on Tuesday afternoon at Cheong Wha Dae, where they held a bilateral meeting and an expanded summit meeting. A seven-point joint declaration was signed and unveiled in a press conference that followed. Under the pact, Russia is expected to pro-actively support the advancement of North-South relations, which includes North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il`s visit to Seoul following an upcoming trip to Russia and the resolving of the nuclear and missile issues.

At the talks, President Kim positively evaluated Russia`s constructive role and contributions to bringing peace and stability to the Korean peninsula. After voicing his support for Seoul`s North Korea policy, Putin said that continuous backing would be provided for ongoing peace efforts. The two leaders stressed that the advancement of South-North relations would set up a positive environment for cooperation in the energy and support sectors as well as the project to link the Trans Korea and Trans Siberian railways.

Korea and Russia will establish a Transportation Cooperation Committee in order to improve the system for shipping goods within the Far East Asian region. A Korea-Russia Far East Siberian Section Committee was set up within the Korea-Russia Economic Science and Technology Cooperation Committee. The construction of the Nakhodka industrial complex and the Irkutsk gas field development project are to be expedited.

After the summit meeting, a joint press conference was held in which President Kim stated, ``President Putin has pledged to maintain Russia`s role and efforts to support Korean peninsula peace efforts and keep up with exchanges.`` The industrial complex construction, gas field development and energy projects will be bolstered and safe fishing within Russian waters will be strengthened, he said. Kim accepted Putin`s invitation to visit Russia.

[Yonhap]