On June 17, South Korean foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha met with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov for talks on ROK-Russia bilateral relations. The two sides discussed economic issues, with a particular emphasis on establishing a free trade zone between Russia and South Korea.

However, Lavrov and Kang also touched upon cooperation over North Korean denuclearization. Moscow has reportedly invited South Korea to participate in a developing Sino-Russian initiative aimed at achieving peace on the Korean peninsula in accordance with Beijing and Moscow’s interests.

The joint Sino-Russian proposal calls for a reduced U.S. military presence on the Korean Peninsula in exchange