Russia is satisfied with level of relations with South Korea - Federation Council speaker

SEOUL, October 4. /TASS/. The Republic of Korea became a key partner for Russia in the Pacific Rim, and Moscow is satisfied with the level of relations with Seoul, said Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko in her speech before students at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul. "The Republic of Korea is an important, key and, I’d say, long-term partner in the Pacific Rim. We are satisfied with the level of the gradual development of bilateral relations in all spheres," she said. Matviyenko reiterated that following the June visit of South Korean President Moon Jae-in to Russia "important agreements to extend bilateral cooperation were reached." In 2017, the trade turnover between the two countries grew by 27%, and "the positive trend continues this year," the parliamentary member said. She pointed out that "about 150 South Korean companies are represented in Russia and are operating there," including Hyundai, Samsung and LG. At the same time, Matviyenko continued, there is a huge potential for developing cooperation between the two countries. "We expect South Korean businesses to participate in the implementation of massive projects in the Far East and Siberia," she stressed, reiterating about the current exemptions and concessions. On the first day of her official visit to South Korea, which will last until October 6, Matviyenko visited the Hyundai Motor exhibition center in the city of Ilsan not far from Seoul, where she met with Woong-chul Yang, Vice Chairman at Hyundai Motor Group. The speaker was shown the company’s recent developments in the sphere of green transport. Read more