'30 Years of Korea-Russia Diplomatic Relations' President Moon's New Northern Drive... The Significance of the Reciprocal Visits Between the Two Leaders

Russia's Eastern Economic Forum in September: Second Attendance Since Inauguration... Attention on Attendance of Key Leaders from China, Japan, and Others

President Moon Jae-in is delivering the keynote speech at the '3rd Eastern Economic Forum Plenary Session' held in September 2017 at the Far Eastern Federal University Assembly Hall in Vladivostok, Russia.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Son Seon-hee and Kim Dong-pyo] President Moon Jae-in's decision to personally attend the Eastern Economic Forum held in Russia for the first time in three years since his inauguration is interpreted as a strong will to achieve definite results in this year's 'New Northern Policy.' Since September last year, President Moon, who became the first president in history to visit all 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) within two and a half years, is shifting the momentum of the New Southern Policy achievements to the New Northern Policy as he enters his fourth year in office.

The New Northern Policy aims to strengthen economic cooperation with Eurasian countries, including Russia, and is one of the Moon administration's core foreign economic policies. On the 17th of last month, President Moon received the '2020 New Northern Policy Strategy' report from the Northern Economic Cooperation Committee and stated, "Since we have encountered an exceptionally good opportunity that may not come again this year, please do your best to ensure that the New Northern Policy yields tangible results."

If Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Korea in May is realized, there is a high possibility that Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit will follow consecutively. The Blue House did not disclose detailed schedules regarding President Xi's visit but officially stated that "the first half of this year is definite." If both leaders visit Korea in succession, it is expected to be a major opportunity to accelerate inter-Korean economic cooperation projects as well as issues linked to North Korea, such as China's global expansion policy, the Belt and Road Initiative (一帶一路, land and maritime Silk Road), depending on progress in North Korea-U.S. dialogue.

Jang Se-ho, a research fellow at the National Security Strategy Institute, said, "The Moon administration has emphasized northern cooperation as important since its inception," adding, "The country President Moon visited second after the U.S. following his inauguration in 2017 was Russia." This contrasts with the usual sequence of Korean presidents visiting the U.S., Japan, China, and Russia after their inauguration. Jang explained, "This strongly expresses the will for cooperation with Russia," and added, "President Moon emphasized the New Northern Policy once again this year, and this year marks the 30th anniversary of Korea-Russia diplomatic relations, which holds special chronological significance."

The Eastern Economic Forum, scheduled for September, is likely to be attended simultaneously by major country leaders including President Moon, China, and Japan. In fact, President Xi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the 4th forum together in 2018. At that time, President Moon did not attend in person, so a meeting did not take place.

Furthermore, President Putin's simultaneous visit to both South and North Korea is anticipated. This year marks the 20th anniversary of President Putin's visit to Pyongyang. On July 19-20, 2000, President Putin visited Pyongyang and held a summit with then North Korean National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il. This was the first visit by a Russian leader since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Research fellow Jang said, "Since last year, Russia has been considering a 'Korean Peninsula visit package,' either visiting North Korea after South Korea or vice versa, and this will remain valid this year," adding, "Since this year also requires a reciprocal visit following North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia in April last year, Russia is likely reviewing the best scenario of entering both South and North Korea simultaneously." From Russia's perspective, it can simultaneously enhance exchanges and cooperation with both Koreas and gain economic benefits. Additionally, by playing a role in promoting the stalled North Korea-U.S. dialogue, it presents an opportunity to highlight Russia's political status and presence in Northeast Asia.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.