(LEAD) S. Korean gas firm chief heads to Russia for talks on pipeline project

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with North Korean minister also visiting Russia; CHANGES headline)
SEOUL, Sept. 14 (Yonhap) -- The head of South Korea's state-run gas firm headed to Russia on Wednesday, spurring speculation that he may hold three-way talks with Russian officials and North Korea's oil minister about an ambitious project to build a gas pipeline linking the three nations.
The South's Korea Gas Corp. (KOGAS) said that its president, Choo Kang-soo, left for Russia for meetings with officials of Russia's largest gas firm Gazprom. His departure came a day after North Korea's Oil Industry Minister Kim Hui-yong also headed to Russia, according to Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency.
The coincidence raised speculation that the three sides may discuss the pipeline project.
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," the company said.
The ambitious project to build a transnational pipeline shipping Siberian natural gas to South Korea via the communist North has gained momentum in recent weeks after North Korean leader Kim Jong-il discussed the project with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev during his trip to Russia last month.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said last week that the project could move forward faster than expected as it would benefit all sides involved.
On Wednesday, Choi Joong-kyung, South Korea's energy minister, also said that the project may be launched soon as all involved parties are showing positive interest.
"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.
Choi said the government still needs to find out more about the North's position before making any final decisions.