On the Russian side, the event was attended by renowned experts on East Asia from MGIMO (U) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, while South Korea was represented by leading political scientists and experts from various universities and scientific institutions. , including Hanyang, Hanguk, Yongse, Sejong, Kemyon, Wongwan Universities, as well as the Korea Eurasian Policy Institute and the Korea Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).
This scientific forum, which was jointly held by the Center for Asia-Pacific Studies at Hangyang University, MGIMO, the Korea Eurasian Policy Institute with the support of the Russian Embassy in Seoul, the Korean-Russian Business Forum and the National Research Foundation of Korea, was a good opportunity for experts from the two countries to discuss the significant change of the recent situation in the region and the world, the impact of the conflict in Ukraine on the balance of power in Northeast Asia, bilateral relations, to make a forecast of the evolution of the situation.
In his welcome speech, MGIMO professor Alexander Panov, who previously worked as Russia’s ambassador to Seoul, called the meeting “historic in a sense,” acknowledging that the organizers had to put a lot of effort into organizing the conference. “We will do everything possible to intensify our cooperation and contacts”, he promising that the next meeting will be in Moscow. The expert noted that he was very pleased to see Korean colleagues and frankly discuss with them the political situation in the region and bilateral relations.
The president of the Korea Eurasian Policy Institute, Kim Hyun-taek, stressed that for the Koreans “there are no hostile or hostile peoples either in the west or in the east,” expressing the hope of quickly achieving peace and stability in the international relations.
The Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Seoul Andrey Kulik acknowledged that “the current meeting is taking place at a difficult time,” expressing the hope that the experts can have a frank exchange of views on the role and venue of Russia and Korea in the emerging new world order and the future of bilateral relations. “Russia consistently adheres to the line of preserving the constructive “baggage” of Russian-Korean relations accumulated over the past three decades, continuing political dialogue, partnerships in practical areas and humanitarian exchanges with the ROK, of course. , in terms of reciprocity”, said the ambassador. R.F.
In his report, the director of the Center for PRA of Hangyang University, Om Gu Ho, predicting the future development of the situation in the world, pointed to the possibility of the appearance of a full-fledged union in Eurasia with the participation of not only Russia and China, but also Iran, Turkey, India, Central Asian countries and other states.
Commenting on the events of recent years, MGIMO associate professor and former Russian ambassador to Pyongyang Valery Sukhinin singled out “three misfortunes” that negatively affected the overall situation in Russia-South Korea relations: the pandemic of COVID-19, the aggravation of the international situation, which caused a complication in relations between Moscow and Seoul, as well as a sharp deterioration in inter-Korean relations. At the same time, the expert noted that one of the fundamental reasons for the general crisis is the hardening of the US rapprochement with its allies and partners, when Washington puts heavy pressure on other countries, demanding that they subordinate their interests to the American ones.
Valery Sukhinin also regretted that the reaction of the current South Korean leadership to the conflict in Ukraine has turned out to be much sharper than it could have been, given the remoteness of the collision site from the Korean peninsula and the indirect impact of the confrontation. on the region “The problem is also that the US allies subordinate their interests to the Americans, acting under the dictates of Washington,” said the expert, who pointed out that the current position of the US is even tougher and intransigent than during the Cold. war era
Maxim Suchkov, director of the MGIMO Institute of International Studies, predicted a tougher confrontation in the world, also noting that the focus and position of third countries are becoming more and more important. “The significant positions and actions of third countries may increasingly depend on plots that significantly affect the alignment in the field of regional security (Turkey), world energy (Saudi Arabia) and the global balance of power (India)” , he pointed out, also affirming the increasingly assertive actions of the US towards its allies, when Washington demands to unambiguously follow the trail of its politicians.
Hanguk University of Foreign Languages professor Che Sung-hoon admitted that a radical restructuring of the system of world and bilateral relations is taking place, and it is almost impossible to return to the previous state. “We need to find our place in this new system and already in it determine how we can further develop cooperation,” the expert said, emphasizing the need to continue Russian-Korean cooperation. As a desirable policy for Seoul, he put forward the following proposals: strengthen its own defense power, diversify trade and economic partners, avoid open conflicts, and establish mutually beneficial relationships with as many players as possible.
Yonsei University professor Ko Sang Du, a specialist in Russia, noted that he sees the optimal role for South Korea in the form of a go-between, a mediator between various camps and unions, taking advantage of Seoul’s opportunities to communicate with the United States. States, Russia and Porcelain. The expert also stressed the need for continued constructive dialogue and cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea.
Associate Professor of Oriental Studies at MGIMO Ilya Dyachkov described the current state of Russian-South Korean relations with the expression “it could have been worse”, highlighting both the remaining positive aspects and those objective facts that indicate the reduction in the intensity of the interaction. bilateral. . As the main political asset of Moscow-Seoul relations, he called it “relatively problem-free in the bilateral field,” meaning there are virtually no fundamental bilateral problems between Russia and South Korea. “The Ukrainian issue as a whole lies outside the bilateral arena: Russian-South Korean relations are not affected directly, but rather by the intransigent position of the United States and the extent to which Seoul is willing to follow it,” Ilya Dyachkov said, expressing I hope that the bilateral relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea will not be defined by an external element in the form of Washington’s position, but by “the dynamics of bilateral ties and the interests of our countries in our common region “.
Dmitry Streltsov, head of MGIMO’s Department of Oriental Studies, said that despite the general deterioration in Moscow’s relations with Seoul and Tokyo, Russian society still maintains a positive attitude towards Koreans and Japanese, calling for the use of the factor of “soft power”. maintain the potential to develop relations between the Russian Federation and South Korea and Japan.
The representative of the Korea Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), Pak Chi Won, acknowledged that there has been a significant reduction in bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan. On the other hand, he noted that the current situation is a good opportunity for Korean SMEs and manufacturers to enter the Russian market. “Now it is difficult for large corporations in Korea to work in the Russian Federation, this is hampered by a wide range of factors. However, as far as one can judge, this creates an opportunity for small and medium-sized companies in Korea, which previously could not enter the Russian market. Perhaps this is not huge, but it still looks like a possible mutually beneficial direction for the continuation of the interaction between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan, “he said.
