Ambassador to Russia to Attend Eastern Economic Forum... First Ambassador-Level Participation Since Onset of Russia-Ukraine War

Ministry of Unification Will Not Attend

Lee Seok-bae, South Korea's Ambassador to Russia, will attend the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok, Russia, as the government representative on September 1. This marks the highest-level South Korean official to attend since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Ministry of Unification, which had considered sending a delegate, ultimately decided not to participate.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs building. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told reporters at the Seoul Government Complex on August 31, "Ambassador Lee will attend this year's Eastern Economic Forum as Korea's representative," adding, "Last year, the ambassador's post was vacant, but this year, taking all relevant factors into consideration, the ambassador himself will participate."

Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, Korea has been represented at the EEF by lower-ranking officials such as the economic counselor at the Russian embassy, a downgrade from delegations before the war. Last year, the Consul General in Vladivostok attended in the ambassador's absence. This means that Ambassador Lee's participation this year will constitute the forum's first high-level attendance by a South Korean official since the conflict began.

Prior to the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war, high-ranking Korean officials such as the President and Prime Minister consistently attended the EEF. Former President Park Geun-hye attended in 2016, followed by then-President Moon Jae-in in 2017. In 2018, then-Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon participated, and in 2019, Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, took part. In 2021, then-Minister of Unification Lee In-young participated in the forum.

However, separate from the official government delegation, the Ministry of Unification has decided not to send any representatives this year. At a regular press briefing on August 31, Ministry spokesperson Yoon Min-ho stated, "Taking all circumstances into account, the Ministry of Unification will not participate in this year's Eastern Economic Forum." Earlier this month, then-Minister Jeong Dong-young had expressed active plans to attend the EEF.

It remains unclear whether North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will participate. Spokesperson Yoon stated, "We have no information yet and will closely monitor related developments." A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official likewise said, "Nothing has been confirmed regarding North Korean attendees." In previous years, the North Korean Ambassador to Russia has participated in the EEF.

The EEF was launched in 2015 to promote development in Russia’s Far East and to strengthen economic cooperation with Asia-Pacific countries. This year's forum will take place in Vladivostok from September 1 to 4.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.