RF, DPRK, S Korea to hold consultations on gas pipeline building

TOKYO, September 15 (Itar-Tass) -- Representatives of Russia, South
Korea and the DPRK may hold in Moscow soon the first tripartite
consultations on the construction of an export gas pipeline from
Vladivostok to the south of the Korean Peninsula through the territory of
the DPRK, the newspaper Asachi reports on Thursday.
According to the newspaper, which refers to sources in Moscow and
Seoul, a delegation of the South Korean gas corporation KOGAS headed by
its president Chu Kang Su flew to the Russian capital on September 14.
Minister of Oil Industry of the DPRK Kim Ji Yong, as the Korean Central
News Agency reported, left for Moscow on September 13.
According to the newspaper, they will hold consultations with the
participation of the Gazprom leadership.
During the talks held in Ulan Ude on August 24, Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev and DPRK Leader Kim Jong Il spoke out in favor of
tripartite cooperation in building a pipeline for the transportation of
Russian gas to South Korea through the DPRK territory. The sides spoke out
in favor of creating a special tripartite commission to work at this
project which promises considerable economic advantages and may also make
a considerable contribution to the strengthening of stability and mutual
understanding in the region.