S. Korea angles for better consensus on N. Korea with Russia, Mongolia

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, July 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense minister plans to step up
regional consensus on ways to deal with North Korea when he visits Russia and
Mongolia next week, his office said Friday.

Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee is set to visit Russia from July 19-21 and Mongolia
from July 22-24, according to the Ministry of National Defense.
North Korea will be high on the agenda when he meets with his Russian and
Mongolian counterparts Anatoly Serdyukov and Luvsanvandan Bold, the ministry
said.
North Korea conducted its second nuclear test on May 25 and drew U.N. sanctions
that require the cooperation of its neighbors to inspect North Korean vessels
suspected of carrying weapons.
The country also test-fired a barrage of ballistic missiles in recent weeks,
drawing condemnation from the international community.
"The Russian visit is expected to lead to a framework for strategic cooperation
in steadfastly dealing with the North Korean problem," the ministry said in a
statement.
Lee had met with Japan's defense head in April, and with his Chinese and U.S.
counterparts in May.
"The trip to Russia is aimed at reinforcing existing defense dialogue channels
between these countries in tackling the North Korean problem," Brig. Gen. Jeong
Yeon-bong said in a briefing.
Russia is a member of six-nation talks aimed at denuclearizing North Korea
through aid and diplomatic incentives. North Korea recently announced it had
abandoned the talks, which also include the United States, South Korea, Japan and
China.
Lee will discuss the North Korean nuclear test and ways to boost security ties
between South Korea and Mongolia when he visits Ulan Bator, the ministry said.
The Mongolian visit is expected to help boost economic ties in resource
development as well, the ministry said.
North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in 2006.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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