S. Korea, Russia agree to hold consultations for regional peace

SEOUL, Sept. 21 (Yonhap) -- Top security officials of South Korea and Russia agreed Monday to continue to hold consultations to promote peace and stability in the region, Cheong Wa Dae said, amid fresh tensions over North Korea's missiles and nuclear program. The meeting came days after North Korea vowed to launch a series of satellites, seen by Seoul and Washington as a cover for testing the North's ballistic missile technology. The North also suggested that it may conduct a nuclear test in response to what it claims is the hostile policy of the United States and other hostile forces. On Monday, President Park Geun-hye's top security adviser, Kim Kwan-jin, and Ju Chul-ki, senior presidential secretary for foreign affairs, held separate talks with Nikolai Patrushev, chair of the Russian Security Council, in Seoul. They exchanged opinions on North Korea's nuclear and missile issues, the presidential office said, without elaborating. Patrushev made a one-day trip to Seoul as part of an exchange of visits of senior officials between the countries on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations. The two sides agreed to revitalize high-level consultations, the presidential office said. entropy@yna.co.kr (END)