Russia and North Korea

Senior N. Korean naval commander visits Russia


03:03 20/10/2011
VLADIVOSTOK, October 20 (RIA Novosti)
Tags: Russia’s Pacific Fleet, Kim Min-Sik

Commander of N. Korea’s East Sea Fleet, Rear Admiral Kim Min-Sik, will start on Thursday an official visit to Russia’s Pacific Fleet.

“The visit will continue until October 27…and will include tours of the Admiral Tributs missile destroyer and the Varshavyanka diesel-powered submarine,” a Pacific Fleet spokesman said.

Kim Min-Sik will also meet with senior Pacific Fleet officials and visit the Russian military contingent on the Kamchatka peninsula.

The admiral’s visit is a follow-up to the visit of Russia's Eastern Military District Commander Admiral Konstantin Sidenko to Pyongyang in August. The sides agreed at the time to expand military ties, hold joint military exercises and exchange friendly visits of warships.

The Russian military has recently said Russia and North Korea could hold joint naval drills in the Yellow Sea in 2012 with the focus on sea rescue and humanitarian missions.

http://www.en.ria.ru/world/20111020/167878086.html

Closer relations with North Korea is a good thing for Russia and North Korea.

There was a deal to put a pipeline through NK to South Korea that could be used to move Russian gas to SK and Japan more efficiently, there is a rail line there too that could ship Japanese products to Europe from South Korea through NK and across Russia.

Such a setup will be good for NK and Russia and also for SK and Japan.

Isolation and sanctions don't work, they just create poverty and pain.

Welcoming the NK into the international community is the best way to help them move forward.

North Korea to Pay for Russian Investments with Natural Resources

VLADIVOSTOK, June 5 (RIA Novosti) – North Korea will grant Russian firms access to its natural resources in exchange for imports and investments, Russia’s Far East Development Minister Alexander Galushko said Thursday.

The announcement came on the heels of a meeting in Russia’s far eastern city of Vladivostok where Russian and Korean officials attended the sixth annual session of an intergovernmental commission on trade, economic and scientific cooperation.

“We discussed several projects on natural resources development, matters of geological prospecting and the opportunity for Korea to pay for imported [Russian] goods and [loans] in the framework of investment cooperation by granting Russian companies access to Korean mineral deposits,” Galushko said.

Earlier Russia agreed to write off 90 percent of Korea’s Soviet debt, which amounted to $10.94 billion as of September 17, 2012. The remaining ten percent ($1.09 billion) are to be paid off in a total of 40 installments over the next 20 years.

The minister added that Russia hoped to ramp up its trade turnover with Korea to $1 billion, up from the current $112 million.

“It is not much,” he pointed out, saying that a greater degree of Korea’s commitment to the existing bilateral projects could whip up sales to $400-500 million.

In January, a UK-based private equity firm SRE Minerals Limited said North Korea had the largest rare earth oxides deposits in the world, an amount of approximately 216 million tons.

Rare earth elements (REE) can be used in many sophisticated technologies, from cell phones to guided missiles.

North Korea to Ease Visa Regime for Russian Investors

MOSCOW, June 5 (RIA Novosti) – North Korea is set to ease travel restrictions for Russian investors and let them surf the Internet while in the country, Russia’s Far East Development Minister Alexander Galushko said Thursday.

“The Korean side has informed us about decisions made on an array of urgent issues that would be of interest to Russian investors. Russian entrepreneurs and people working at Russian companies with branches in DPRK will now have an opportunity to obtain multiple-entry visas after a simplified procedure,” Galushko said.

He added Russian visitors will be allowed to access the Internet and use mobile networks, meaning they will now enjoy unprecedented connectivity while working in this secluded Asian country.

It was also reported earlier that Moscow and Pyongyang had signed a deal to use the Russian national currency ruble for payments between the two countries as part of an effort to boost their bilateral trade.

The announcement came as Russian officials have expressed a desire to explore new markets for the country's businesses, following the introduction of sanctions by the West in reaction to Russia's stance over Crimea. Russian leaders have simultaneously reassured international investors the country remains open for business, and there are no plans to restrict international commerce.

At the same time, Russia said in May it agreed to write off 90 percent of Korea’s debt to the former Soviet Union, which amounted to 10.94 billion dollars as of September 17, 2012. The remaining ten percent (1.09 billion dollars) are to be paid off in a total of 40 installments over the next 20 years.

Russia, North Korea to Launch Ruble Transactions

VLADIVOSTOK, June 5 (RIA Novosti) – Russia and North Korea are preparing to launch bilateral transactions in the Russian ruble this month to boost trade turnover between the two nations to $1 billion by 2020, Russia’s Far East Development Minister said Thursday.

In May 2014, Moscow agreed to write off 10.94 billion of Pyongyang’s Soviet debt with the remaining 1.09 billion to be paid in installments over the next 20 years.

“The decision to write off DPRK’s debt to Russia has opened up the way to resolve a wide range of issues that was previously blocked by this debt load. Ruble transactions between Russia and DPRK will begin as early as this month, with first bank accounts to be set up in Russian banks,” Far East’s Development Minister Alexander Galushko said.

North Korea currently uses euros as the official currency in settling overseas trade deals.

The announcement came on the heels of a meeting in Russia’s far eastern city of Vladivostok where Galushko took part in the sixth annual session of the Russian-Korean standing commission, an intergovernmental agency on trade, economic and scientific cooperation.

The minister added that Russia hoped to ramp up its trade turnover with Korea to $1 billion, up from the current $112 million. “It is not much,” he pointed out, saying that a greater degree of Korea’s commitment to the existing bilateral projects could whip up sales to $400-500 million.

Russia’s Asian pivot followed a string of unilateral sanctions by the West in reaction to Moscow’s stance on Crimea.

Russian leadership earlier expressed its desire to explore new markets for the country’s businesses, while reassuring international investors that Russia remains open for business, and there are no plans to restrict international commerce.

Moscow, Pyongyang Agree Trilateral Railroad Project with Seoul

VLADIVOSTOK, June 5 (RIA Novosti) – In a bid to settle the Korean row, Russia and North Korea agreed to cooperate with Seoul on trilateral railroad construction projects, Russia’s Far East Development Minister Alexander Galushko said Thursday.

“We have agreed to launch trilateral projects between Russia, DPRK and South Korea with a focus on the railroads project. It’s important to extend the Trans-Siberian Railroad to the Korean peninsula. It will serve to stabilize and improve the situation on the Korean peninsula as a whole,” he pointed out.

The agreements were reached at a meeting in Russia’s far eastern city of Vladivostok where Galushko took part in the sixth annual session of the Russian-Korean standing commission, an intergovernmental agency on trade, economic and scientific cooperation.

The Trans-Siberian Railroad (TSR) is an extensive network of railroads connecting Moscow and St. Petersburg with Russia’s biggest industrial hubs in East Siberia and Far East. With a length of 9,289 km, it is the longest railroad line in the world.

In March, the Russian Far East Development Ministry confirmed Moscow’s and Pyongyang’s mutual interest in joint projects with South Korea, including international connections for railroads, gas pipelines and power lines.

Russia also proposed to invest into the Kaesong Industrial Park, a special economic zone in North Korea just north of Seoul where South Korean companies are allowed to employ northern workers.

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North Korea’s mineral wealth to pay for Russian projects

This is great news... it means asian countries wanting to send products to Europe could ship them to South or North Korea and then put them on a train to Europe... non stop.

The transit fees for NK and the investment from Russia will be excellent and may help that country come out of its shell.

Russia, DPRK Foreign ministers to hold talks in Moscow

MOSCOW, October 1. /TASS/. Trade-and-economic cooperation and the situation on the Korean Peninsula will be discussed in Moscow on Wednesday by the Foreign Ministers of Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Sergey Lavrov and Lee Su-young.

It is planned during the meeting to consider an intensification of the political dialogue and trade-and-economic interaction between the two countries. The Foreign ministers are to exchange views on the situation in the region, on Pyongyang's nuclear programme, in particular.

Russia's Foreign Ministry official specified, "The sides will exchange views on current international problems, including the situation in Ukraine and in the Middle East, the state of affairs regarding Iran's nuclear programme, and efforts towards forming a new security architecture in the Asia-Pacific Region".

Sergey Lavrov and Lee Su-young will sum up the results of joint efforts towards renewing the legal-treaty basis in various fields from cultural and humanitarian to technical and financial. Ways as to how to bring trade turnover up to $1 billion will be also discussed at the talks.

The sides will review the implementation of large-scale investment projects, including the functioning of the intermodal transshipment complex at the port of Rajin, as well as new programmes being implmented under the "Russian equipment and investments in exchange for Korean mineral raw materials" formula.

This is the first visit by the North Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs to Russia over the past four yeas: Kee Su-young was appointed to the post in April this year. In the Russian capital, a cultural programme has been also arranged for the DPRK's Foreign Minister: Lee Su-young will lay a wreath at the Unknown Soldier's Tomb in the Alexander Garden, visit the Mausoleum, and tour the Kremlin museums and the Central Museum of Russia's Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

At the close of the stay in Moscow, the Minister will proceed on his way to Amur and Sakhalin Regions, as welll as to Khabarovsk and Primorsky /maritime/ Territories, where he will meet with the leadership of regional administrations and legislatures.

well i hope we will have and find some profitable use out of this useless lunatic state

Isolation and sanctions don't seem to have worked their magic... in fact I wonder do they ever really work in a positive sense... or can they only destroy and cause suffering?

I suspect better relations with China and Russia and links to the outside world in addition to income will make NK a much better place than all of Americas economic and military sanctions against that country combined ever could.

North Korea, Khabarovsk Territory Planning Agriculture Cooperation: DPRK Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW, October 7 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Khabarovsk Territory and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) could undertake joint agricultural projects, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong said Tuesday.

Ri Su-yong stated at a meeting with Khabarovsk Territory Governor Vyacheslav Shport that agriculture is the most promising field for North Korean cooperation and that they aim at developing long-term projects. In turn, Governor Shport noted that he also considered agricultural cooperation projects to be promising and also suggested developing ties in culture and sports.

According to Ri Su-yong, Qatar agreed to grant North Korea a loan to be used for agricultural development, to be used to acquire equipment for processing agricultural products.

DPRK's foreign minister arrived in Khabarovsk Territory and met with its governor on Tuesday. In Khabarovsk, he plans to visit the Baltika brewery and a meat processing plant. Ri Su-yong has already visited Moscow and the Amur Region as part of his 10-day visit. He also plans to visit Primorsky Territory and Sakhalin Region.

Currently, the Khabarovsk Region has 15 companies employing North Korean citizens working mainly in construction, forestry and trade. In 2013, the trade turnover between Khabarovsk Territory and the DPRK was less than 1 percent of the region's total foreign trade turnover.

Russia Could Hire North Korean Workers for Far East Development Projects: Minister

MOSCOW, October 28 (RIA Novosti) - Russia is considering the possibility to involve workers from North Korea to participate in the development projects in the Far East, Russia’s Far East Development Minister Alexander Galushka said Tuesday.

“We discussed, among other things, about involving workers from North Korea in the implementation of projects in the Far East,” Galushka, who is also the head of the Russian-North Korean intergovernmental committee, told reporters following his visit to North Korea.

Russia is set to build 14 high-priority development territories in the Far East, aimed to speed up development in the region.

On Tuesday, Galushka also told reporters that Russian and North Korean officials have discussed the possibility of creating a visa-free regime between the two countries. The two countries have also agreed to develop a business council, which will organize contacts between businessmen from the two nations.

The minister also said Russia has plans to extend its electric power grid into North and eventually South Korea, with Russian infrastructure company RusGidro, showing an interest in the project and developing working contacts with its North Korean counterparts.

North Korea supports implementation of Russian-Korean economic projects

PYONGYANG, November 14. /TASS/. North Korea supports the implementation of economic projects approved by the Russian-Korean summit in August 2011 in Ulan Ude, the North Korean Foreign Ministry official told TASS on Friday.

The North Korean government’s position remains unchanged to implement the large-scale economic cooperation projects in various areas, including energy and railways, the diplomat said.

During the Russian-Korean summit in August 2011, the sides reached an agreement to implement a tripartite project for a pipeline that may be laid across North Korea to pipe Russian gas to South Korea.

Another very important project is reconstruction of the Trans-Korean railroad. It was discussed during the first meeting of railway chiefs of Russia, North Korea and South Korea in Irkutsk in 2006. They agreed to begin reconstruction of the Trans-Korean railroad from the Russian station of Khasan to the port of Rajin. In September 2013, a ceremony was held in North Korea to mark the completion of the work. A Russian-Korean terminal also opened in Rajin, the main port of the economic zone of Rason.

The modernization of the Khasan-Rajin railway infrastructure is viewed as a pilot part of the reconstruction of the entire Trans-Korean main line. When the link from the South Korean port of Pusan across North Korea to Russia is opened in full, a substantial part of cargoes will be re-orientated to Russia’s Trans-Siberian line from the sea route from South Korea to Europe.

South Korean businessmen may join the work to develop North Korea’s railway infrastructure.

Russia, North Korea plan to sign agreement on military activity prevention

Prime minister Dmitry Medvedev instructed the Defense Ministry to conduct negotiations with the North Korean side and sign the agreement on behalf of the Russian government

MOSCOW, December 15. /TASS/. The Russian and North Korean governments will sign an agreement on the prevention of military activities. The draft agreement has been approved by the Russian government, says a resolution signed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. The text of the document was published on the official website of legal information on Monday.

The prime minister instructed the Defense Ministry to conduct negotiations with the North Korean side and sign the agreement on behalf of the Russian government.

The resolution says that the sides “confirm the commitment to improve the bilateral relations and are convinced of the need to prevent dangerous military activities, to quickly settle by peaceful means any incidents between the armed forces of the states of the sides.”

According to the draft agreement, the sides intend “to display high caution and reasonableness in the activities conducted near the territory or stationing of the armed forces of the state of the other side.”

Each side shall take the necessary measures for “the prevention of entry of equipment and personnel into the territory of the other state due to force majeure circumstances or as a result of unintentional actions.” The sides also shall prevent “the use of laser radiation to the detriment of the other side, as well as the creation of obstacles to ensuring national security of the other state.” “The sides shall take all the possible measures to promptly stop and settle by peaceful means any incidents that may happen due to dangerous military activities,” says the draft agreement.

Russia and DPRK May Develop $20-30 Billion Power Grid Project

Kim Jong Un Moscow Visit Continuation of Russia, North Korea Dialogue

According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov, the potential visit of the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to Russia will be a logical continuation of a recently noticeably activated Russian-North Korean political dialogue.

MOSCOW, January 28 (Sputnik) — The potential visit of the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to Russia for the 70th anniversary of World War II will continue an activated dialogue between Moscow and Pyongyang, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov told RIA Novosti Wednesday.

"If such visit takes place, it would be a logical continuation of a recently noticeably activated Russian-North Korean political dialogue, would contribute to the implementation of agreements reached by the parties in the economic field," Morgulov said.
Junichi Ihara, director general of the Asia and Oceania Affairs Bureau of Japan's Foreign Ministry, sits during a meeting on abduction probe with North Korean officials at the Special Investigation Committee office in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014.

Sustaining a relationship with North Korea on all levels is in the interests of both Moscow and Pyongyang, and contributes to the peace on the Korean peninsula, as well as northeast Asia, according to Moscow, Morgulov stressed.

Last December, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov stated that the country sent an invitation to Kim Jong Un to partake in the celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII. According to Ushakov, there were signals that the North Korean leader was coming to Moscow to take part in the Victory Day celebrations.

North Korea praises investment cooperation with Russia

In September 2013, Russia and North Korea completed the upgrade of a railway road from the Russian station of Khasan to the North Korean town of Rajin, a North Korean official noted

PYONGYANG, February 2. /TASS/. Railway transport is an important area of investment cooperation between Russia and North Korea, spokesman of North Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Economic Affairs Lee Sohn Hak said on Monday.

In September 2013, Russia and North Korea completed the upgrade of a railway road from the Russian station of Khasan to the North Korean town of Rajin, he said.

Work has also been finished for creating a universal reloading terminal in Rajin, the main port of the Rason special economic zone located in the north-east of North Korea and bordering on the Chinese province of Jilin and Russia’s Primorye Territory.

The North Korean government is generally creating favorable conditions for foreign investors who are showing interest in special economic zones established in the country, the spokesman said.

The North Korean authorities have made amendments to the existing legislation on foreign investment and the development of special economic zones, "which has made it possible to ensure necessary guarantees for foreign companies in accordance with the world practice," the spokesman said.

North Korea has signed agreements on mutual encouragement and protection of investments with 28 countries and agreements on avoidance of double taxation with 13 Asian, African and European states, the spokesman said.

The development of the Wonsan-Kumgang international tourism zone established in North Korea last year is a promising area for the participation of foreign capital, the spokesman said.

This territory located in the southeastern province of Kangwon also hosts such landmark sites as the Masikryong ski resort, the Songdowon International Children’s Health-Building Camp, the Wonsan resort city and the famous Kumgang (Diamond) Mountains renowned for ancient Buddhist temples, waterfalls and lakes.

The main aim for creating this zone is to boost international tourism on the North Korean eastern coast, the spokesman said.

Russia sets up Business Council for North Korea Cooperation

The council will assist Russian companies in searching for business partners in North Korea, elaborate specific trade and investment projects and arrange exhibition events, meetings and congresses

MOSCOW, February 4. /TASS/. Russia has set up a Business Council for Cooperation with North Korea to ensure comfortable interaction between the business communities of both countries, Russian Commerce and Industry Chamber Vice-President Vladimir Strashko said at the council’s founding meeting on Wednesday.

The Business Council will assist Russian companies in searching for business partners in North Korea and elaborate specific trade and investment projects and arrange exhibition events, business meetings and congresses, he said.

"This is undoubtedly a new stage of business cooperation between Russia and North Korea, which will significantly strengthen trade and economic relations between the two countries," Strashko said.

The Business Council was established with the active participation of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and industry, the Foreign Ministry, the Economic Development Ministry, the Ministry for Far East Development and Russia's embassy in North Korea.

North Korea plans to participate in investment projects in Russia’s Far East

A unique analytic base has been created and efficient economic models have been formed in order to provide business with comfortable conditions for investment

VLADIVOSTOK, March 5. /TASS/. North Korea will participate in the creation of advanced development zones in Russia’s Far East, and a model of such a zone can be applied to its own territory, says a protocol signed following Pyongyang’s delegation visit to Russia.

The document was inked by Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East Alexander Galushka and North Korean Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Ryong Nam, according to the Russian ministry.

"The Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East has been the initiator for adopting a special legislation on the territories of advanced social and economic development," Galushka said.

A unique analytic base has been created and efficient economic models have been formed in order to provide business with comfortable conditions for investment, the minister said.

"Using this experience in the three-party format, with the participation of Russia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea may become an efficient development of the idea of the advanced development zones," Galushka was quoted by the ministry as saying.

In particular, Russia is ready to consider extraterritorial models where the trilateral cooperation will be developing on the territory of North Korea. Pyongyang is interested in Russia attracting a third party, including South Korea, as an investor and performer as part of a project on electric power supplies to North Korea.

By now, 14 sites and 18 investment projects have been preliminarily selected for advanced development areas in the Far Eastern federal district. It is planned to attract some $1.6 billion in investments to these areas in the next few years.

Russia Launches 'Year of Friendship' with North Korea

MOSCOW — Russia on Wednesday said it was kicking off a "year of friendship" with totalitarian North Korea as ties with the West languish over Ukraine.

The foreign ministry in Moscow announced it had agreed to start a program of cultural exchanges with the Stalinist regime in Pyongyang aimed at taking ties between the one-time Cold War allies to a "new high level."

The events — to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in May — come as Moscow seeks to offset its slump in relations with the West over Russia's support for separatists in Ukraine.

The Kremlin has already said that North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un will be coming to Moscow in May to take part in commemorations of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany.

The trip would be Kim's first trip abroad since he took over after the death of his father Kim Jong-Il in 2011, with the reclusive state possibly looking to reduce its dependence on its main diplomatic and economic buttress China.

Moscow has tried to bolster its relations with a range of partners from Beijing to Caracas in the face of its own economic woes sparked by Western sanctions over Ukraine and tumbling oil prices.

The late North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il visited Russia in August 2011 in his armored train for a meeting with then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

Russia is seeking to expand economic ties with North Korea and is eyeing a project worth about $25 billion (€20 billion) to overhaul the country's railway network in return for access to mineral resources.

Russia is also one of the key members of long-stalled six-party negotiations with North Korea over ending its nuclear arms program.

On Wednesday, the office of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would not attend a May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow.

Trade Between Moscow, Pyongyang Should Be Raised to $1Bln - Official

Trade turnover between Russia and North Korea should be boosted to $1 billion, Deputy Head of the Upper House of the Russian Parliament Evgeny Bushmin said Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – In late February, North Korean Minister for Foreign Economic Affairs Ri Ryong Nam said that Pyongyang planned to increase trade with Russia to $300 million by year-end.

In a recent article for Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao newspaper, Chahar Institute associate Ding Tung argued that China must do more to improve relations with North Korea in order to avoid becoming second fiddle to Russia on the Korean peninsula. Photo: Chinese-North Korean Border in eastern China's Jilian province.

The minister added that the countries could increase the amount to $1 billion by the end of decade.

“Certainly, the goal is difficult, but it can be achieved within five years,” Bushmin said during the meeting with North Korean ambassador to Russia Kim Yong Jae.

In late March, Russia Far East Development Minister Alexander Galushka said that advanced development zones in the Far East and on North Korean territory may be developed with the participation of North Korea, South Korea and Russia. The respective proposals are currently under discussion, the official said.

“We will look for Russian investors to come to North Korea, we will expand range of the products delivered by North Korea to Russia to strike a balance between what we are delivering to North Korea and what North Korea is delivering to us,” the Russian official said.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/business/20150403/1020422841.html#ixzz3WRkjnRX2

Kim Jong Un's Visit to Moscow on May 9 in Preparation Stage

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/russia/20150417/1021007565.html#ixzz3XZOzjcTD

Russia Ready to Hold Bilateral Talks With N Korea's Kim Jong Un - Kremlin

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that Moscow is prepared to hold individual bilateral talks with North Korean Kim Jong Un.

MOSCO (Sputnik) – Russia is prepared to hold individual bilateral talks with North Korean Kim Jong Un, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said Wednesday.

“We’re ready for that, including individual bilateral talks with the Korean leader,” Ushakov told journalists.

Ushakov also confirmed that Kim would attend the World War II Victory parade in Moscow on May 9.

“The invitation to the new Korean leader was delivered and during various meetings with Korean representatives, it was confirmed that Kim Jong Un plans on arriving to Moscow and the organizational formalities are currently underway but are still not completely agreed upon. But we believe that since the promise to come to the event was given, then the promise will be kept,” Ushakov added.

Diplomatic relations between the Soviet Union and North Korea were established in 1948, and the countries were close allies during the Cold War. Relations between the countries waned after the USSR dissolved, but ties improved again in the 2000s.

Russia has invited a number of world leaders to attend the Victory Parade in Moscow in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

So far, representatives of at least 25 states have agreed to attend the celebration, according to Kremlin Chief of Staff Sergei Ivanov.

A full list of participants is expected to be announced by the end of April.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/politics/20150422/1021231315.html#ixzz3Y36RDZzx

Nice

Russia will supply North Korea in exchange for coal iron