ID :
207054
Wed, 09/14/2011 - 11:29
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/207054
The shortlink copeid
Russia gas pipeline project moving forward: minister
SEOUL, Sept. 14 (Yonhap) -- A project to lay a gas pipeline from Russia to South Korea through North Korea may soon be launched as all involved parties are showing positive interest, a senior government policymaker said Wednesday.
Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Joong-kyung said he expects the proposed project to move forward earlier than expected.
"Russia is very enthusiastic, and North Korea, too, is not seriously objecting so there is a possibility that things could progress faster than anticipated," Choi told reporters.
Seoul and Moscow had long considered the project of bringing Siberian natural gas overland to South Korea at a significantly lower price than by using gas tanker ships, but the project only recently gained momentum after North Korean leader Kim Jong-il discussed it with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev during his trip to Russia last month.
Earlier reports suggested the North Korean leader has already agreed to allow the envisioned pipeline to go through his country if Russia and South Korea sign a deal on the project.
Choi said the government still needs to find more about the North's position before making any final decisions, adding a meeting between South Korea's state-run Korea Gas Corp. (KOGAS) and Russia's largest gas firm Gazprom, also the likely candidate for the Russian pipeline project, will be held "in the very near future."
KOGAS said its president, Choo Kang-soo, headed for Russia Wednesday to hold talks with Gazprom executives.
Choo "will stay there until Sept. 17 to meet with representatives from Gazprom to find out Moscow's exact position on the project, as well as North Korea's stance," it said.
Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Joong-kyung said he expects the proposed project to move forward earlier than expected.
"Russia is very enthusiastic, and North Korea, too, is not seriously objecting so there is a possibility that things could progress faster than anticipated," Choi told reporters.
Seoul and Moscow had long considered the project of bringing Siberian natural gas overland to South Korea at a significantly lower price than by using gas tanker ships, but the project only recently gained momentum after North Korean leader Kim Jong-il discussed it with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev during his trip to Russia last month.
Earlier reports suggested the North Korean leader has already agreed to allow the envisioned pipeline to go through his country if Russia and South Korea sign a deal on the project.
Choi said the government still needs to find more about the North's position before making any final decisions, adding a meeting between South Korea's state-run Korea Gas Corp. (KOGAS) and Russia's largest gas firm Gazprom, also the likely candidate for the Russian pipeline project, will be held "in the very near future."
KOGAS said its president, Choo Kang-soo, headed for Russia Wednesday to hold talks with Gazprom executives.
Choo "will stay there until Sept. 17 to meet with representatives from Gazprom to find out Moscow's exact position on the project, as well as North Korea's stance," it said.
