Russia sees possibilities to implement energy, transport projects with Seoul, Pyongyang - ambassador

MOSCOW, February 9. /TASS/. Joint projects between Moscow, Seoul and Pyongyang, including the development of rail, gas and electric power infrastructure, will benefit Russia, South and North Korea and strengthen peace on the Korean peninsula, Russia’s ambassador to Seoul Alexander Timonin said on Monday. "The implementation of three-partite economic projects with the participation of our country, South Korea and North Korea can open broad prospects for the development of mutually advantageous cooperation," the Russian ambassador said. "The connection of the TransSib [trans-Siberian railway] and the trans-Korean railroad, the laying of a gas pipeline and the construction of electricity transmission lines connecting Russia and both Koreas can bring economic dividends for project participants and contribute to strengthening peace and stability on the peninsula. Both Pyongyang and Seoul generally agree with this approach," he said. Work on implementing some of these projects is already under way, the Russian ambassador to Seoul said. "In 2013-2014, specialists from RZD [Russian Railways state-owned rail company] and North Korea successfully completed the upgrade of a rail link between the station of Khasan [Russia] and Rajin [North Korea] and a modern freight terminal was launched into operation at the third pier of the port of Rajin," the Russian diplomat said. "On December 1, 2014, a vessel loaded in Rajin made a test delivery of Russian coal to the South Korean port of Pohang," the Russian ambassador said. "We expect the cargo traffic between Russia, North Korea and South Korea to eventually become regular, which will facilitate the implementation of other three-partite projects," the Russian diplomat said. Read more