President Moon Jae-in and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged gifts following their one-on-one and extended summit today. President Putin prepared a Korean sword produced in the 1800s during the Joseon period (1392-1910) as a gift for President Moon. This sword had been smuggled into the United States in the 1950s and then purchased by a Russian individual. Subsequently, the Russian Government procured it, and President Putin presented it to President Moon.

Expressing gratitude for the meaningful present, President Moon gave President Putin a bamboo fishing rod made with Korea traditional crafts, which was chosen in consideration of the President’s enjoyment of various sports, including fishing. In addition, President Putin was presented with a framed photo of a night view of Saint Petersburg, the President`s hometown. 

After exchanging presents, the two Presidents dropped by the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games promotion pavilion on Far East Street. This pavilion was set up to publicize the upcoming winter Olympics to dignitaries from around the world who had come to Vladivostok to attend the 3rd Eastern Economic Forum. 

The pavilion is located on the seaside near the Far Eastern Federal University where the Forum is being held. There one can watch a traditional Korean drum performance and obtain information about tourism and lodging in Pyeongchang County and the City of Gangneung. Visitors could also experience various promotional events that introduce the friendly face of Pyeongchang such as jumping on skis in virtual reality, playing miniaturized curling and collecting the stamp prints of Olympic mascots Soohorang and Bandabi.

President Moon and President Putin looked around the pavilion and watched the traditional Korean drum performance. President Moon presented President Putin with Soohorang and Bandabi dolls dressed in traditional Korean attire and again asked for his interest in the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games.