President Moon Jae-in, in Manila to attend the ASEAN Plus Three Summit, met with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev for 30 minutes today. They agreed to push for the development of the Russian Far East and various other projects aimed at fostering future growth engines.

Notably, Korea and Russia concurred on the need to accelerate working-level discussions to conclude a Korea-Eurasia free trade agreement. 

President Moon and Prime Minister Medvedev agreed to deepen consultations among their countries’ ministries and agencies regarding the “nine bridges” proposed by President Moon at the Eastern Economic Forum in September. Specifically, these are nine sectors in which the two countries can work together, including port construction, gas exploration, railway construction, and power generation.

President Moon stressed the need for greater cooperation in the fishing and agricultural industries, particularly concerning the building of a seafood processing complex in the Russian Far East and a fertilizer plant in Nakhodka.

The President requested Russia`s help in streamlining customs procedures for the Trans-Siberian Railroad and specially allocating trains for Korean businesses, so that Hyundai Motor, Samsung Electronics and others have greater access to the train service.

President Moon also asked the Russian Government to consider extending its preferential status designation for Hyundai Motor’s investment in Saint Petersburg, which is set to expire next year.

Prime Minister Medvedev said North Korea’s nuclear and missile program could never be tolerated. Considering Russia’s proximity to the Korean Peninsula and the direct link between peninsular stability and Russian security, the Prime Minister said that he supported South Korea’s stance toward peace on the Peninsula and that Russia would make every endeavor in that regard.  

Prime Minister Medvedev said the Russian Government was willing to step up talks with Korea on the Korea-Eurasia FTA. He also expressed his intention to pursue cooperation with Korea with regard to an LNG project on Sakhalin Island, the fishery and agricultural industries, and the modernization of the shipbuilding industry in the Russian Far East.

Prior to the meeting with the Russian Prime Minister, President Moon sat down with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and the two leaders concurred on the need to link Singapore’s Smart Nation Project and Korea’s Smart City Project as well as to improve the existing Korea-Singapore FTA.