S. Korean defense head to visit Russia, Mongolia to discuss N. Korea: official

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, July 7 (Yonhap) -- North Korea will be high on the agenda when South
Korea's defense minister visits Russia and Mongolia later this month to meet his
counterparts there, an official said Tuesday.
Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee is set to visit Russia from July 19-21 and Mongolia
from July 22-24 to seek cooperation in dealing with North Korea and discuss
bilateral issues, spokesman Won Tae-jae said.
North Korea recently conducted its second nuclear test and test-launched a series
of missiles, including ballistic ones, in defiance of U.N. resolutions imposing
sanctions on the communist state.
"Lee will present his country's stance on North Korea's behavior and seek
cooperation from Russia and Mongolia," Won said, declining to elaborate as the
agenda needs to be further refined.
Russia is a member of six-nation talks aimed at denuclearizing North Korea
through aid and diplomatic benefits. North Korea recently announced it had
abandoned the talks, which also include the United States, South Korea, Japan and
China.
Mongolia has over the years increased economic cooperation with North Korea,
importing workers from the reclusive country to support its understaffed economy.
"We're hoping Russia and Mongolia can serve as bridges between South and North
Korea, and pressure Pyongyang to stop its provocations," a South Korean official,
who was not authorized to be identified in the media, said.
Won said Lee will also discuss ways to boost bilateral security exchanges when he
holds talks with Russian Defense Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov and Mongolian
Defense Minister Mikhlai Borbaatar.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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