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The message from the Russian head of state was conveyed by Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov who was visiting the Republic of Korea.

The message said, in particular:

“I know that a new Russian Embassy will be officially opened in Seoul as part of the visit, while a new South Korean Embassy is being built in Moscow. This is a good beginning, one which will undoubtedly make the work of our diplomatic representatives more effective and will, in the final analysis, strengthen the constructive partnership between Russia and the Republic of Korea.

“We are closely watching the situation on the Korean peninsula and the relations between North and South. So far the inter-Korean dialogue has not made the headway that was expected following your meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il in Pyongyang. The current state of things is to be regretted, but it is up to the Koreans themselves to find a solution. I believe your steady policy aimed at developing peaceful cooperation between South and North Korea will sooner or later be fruitful. I am confident there is no reasonable alternative to such an approach.

“In turn, Russia will as before pursue a line towards developing friendly and good-neighbourly relations with South and North Korea and will promote inter-Korean settlement and rapprochement to the best of its ability. In particular, it is our intention to advance three-way cooperation projects on the Korean peninsula, which we discussed together, especially a project to link the Trans-Korean Railway and the Trans-Siberian Railway.

“I am sure that the successfully developing Russian-Korean cooperation will make a decisive contribution to strengthening peace and security on the Korean peninsula.

“I avail myself of the opportunity to congratulate you on a successful world football championship and the brilliant performance of the Korean team.”