Russia's top nuclear envoy due in Seoul next week

SEOUL, March 3 (Yonhap) -- Russian Vice Foreign Minister Aleksei Borodavkin, who heads the country's delegation to the six-way talks on North Korea's nuclear program, will visit South Korea next week to discuss Seoul-Moscow relations and ways to advance the stalled negotiations, a diplomatic source said Tuesday.

He may also meet Stephen Bosworth, the new U.S. point man on Pyongyang, during
his trip here, the source added.
Bosworth is scheduled to arrive in Seoul on Saturday for a four-day stay as part
of his regional tour that also includes stops in China and Japan.
The State Department said earlier in the day that Bosworth will meet South Korean
officials as well as "senior Russian officials who are traveling in the region"
during his upcoming trip to Seoul. It gave no other details, including the names
of the Russian officials.
South Korean government officials were also guarded about Bosworth's itinerary
here, saying specifics have yet to be coordinated.
But the source told Yonhap News Agency that the top Russian nuclear negotiator
will be in Seoul next week for a few days before flying on to Southeast Asia.
"Vice Foreign Minister Borodavkin is supposed to visit South Korea to hold a
regular consultation session on South Korea-Russia ties. He will have a meeting
with Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Yong-joon," the source said. "He also plans to
meet South Korea's new nuclear envoy Wi Sung-lac."
The source added that Bosworth is expected to pay a courtesy call on former South
Korean president Kim Dae-jung during his trip here.
Kim is known for his trademark "sunshine" policy of engagement with the North. He
won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 after an historic summit with North Korean
leader Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang earlier in the year.
Bosworth served as Washington's ambassador to Seoul during Kim's presidency from
1998-2003.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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