Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko’s consultations in the Republic of Korea

On February 2, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko held consultations with Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Chung Byung-won and Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Gunn Kim, and also met with First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hong-kyun, in Seoul.

The meeting participants exchanged views on the developments on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia in general, as well as on issues related to bilateral relations. The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister expressed grave concern over the escalation of tensions in the subregion. He emphasised that the main cause of this was the irresponsible and provocative policy of Washington, which, in pursuit of its own geopolitical interests, is pressuring its regional allies to carry out its aggressive plans that could have unpredictable consequences, including in the military area. It was noted that the normalisation can be achieved if the US and its allies immediately cease their dangerous military activity and instead focus on finding a political and diplomatic solution to the existing problems.

Andrey Rudenko reaffirmed Russia’s firm commitment to developing mutually beneficial cooperation with the DPRK in accordance with international law and in the interests of both countries and peoples, as well as to strengthening peace and security in the region.