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On June 15, 2021, the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and the Korea Foundation (KF) held the third round table “Russia — Republic of Korea: traditional spheres of engagement and promising new areas” as part of the 2021 Next Generation Policy Experts Network joint project aiming to facilitate collaboration between the Russian and Korean academic circles.

Experts discussed converging Moscow’s and Seoul’s interests in the regional and bilateral frameworks, and touched upon new collaboration opportunities in economy, culture and other areas. In particular, the discussion dealt with avenues of business cooperation in hi-tech and medicine, especially in combatting COVID-19. Boosting trust and mutual understanding between Russian and Koreans were also in the focus of the meeting.

On June 15, 2021, the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and the Korea Foundation (KF) held the third round table “Russia — Republic of Korea: traditional spheres of engagement and promising new areas” as part of the 2021 Next Generation Policy Experts Network joint project aiming to facilitate collaboration between the Russian and Korean academic circles.

Experts discussed converging Moscow’s and Seoul’s interests in the regional and bilateral frameworks, and touched upon new collaboration opportunities in economy, culture and other areas. In particular, the discussion dealt with avenues of business cooperation in hi-tech and medicine, especially in combatting COVID-19. Boosting trust and mutual understanding between Russian and Koreans were also in the focus of the meeting.

Ilya Dyachkov, Associate Professor of the Department of Asian and African Studies at MGIMO University; Minhyeon Jeong, Associate Research Fellow at Korea Institute for International Economic Policy; Liudmila Zakharova, Academic Secretary of the RAS Institute of Far Eastern Studies; Associate Professor of the World Economy Department at MGIMO University; and Sang Hyun KIM, Associate Professor at Sungkyunkwan University, spoke at the roundtable. Elena Karpinskaya, RIAC Deputy Director of Programs, chaired the discussion.

After the roundtable, Russian experts virtually visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.

The Outcome of the 3rd Round table within the RIAC-KF 2021 Next Generation Policy Network Project

Summary of the Discussion

Ilya Dyachkov

  • Although Russia and Republic of Korea naturally face diverging interests in some areas, it is more constructive to discuss converging interests, of which there are many.

  • In terms of converging interests, the most important ones are in the area of security. Security on the Korean Peninsula and in greater East Asia is a priority for both countries. It is only natural that both states wish for a stable East Asia, as they are both geographically positioned in the region. It is in both Russia and South Korea’s interest that future mechanisms for the resolution of the nuclear problem on the Korean Peninsula include multilateral diplomacy and discussions.

  • With multiple South Korean companies set to manufacture the Sputnik V vaccine in Korea, economic and scientific cooperation between Russia and Korea is gaining additional momentum.

  • The Sputnik V vaccine should be approved for use and made available in South Korea. The vaccine could potentially even be used as an instrument for inter-Korean cooperation.

  • Russia–Korea cultural cooperation has steadily developed since the countries implemented visa-free travel for each other’s citizens in 2014. The accompanying surge in people-to-people exchanges has increased mutual understanding between the countries.

  • In the spirit of the Year of Mutual Exchange between Korea and Russia (2020-2021), Republic of Korea has offered discounts to Russian tourists at various establishments. However, to attract more Russian visitors Korea should shorten or abolish the arrival quarantine period for vaccinated Russians.

Minhyeon Jeong

  • Cooperation in the area of IT is promising for both Russia and South Korea.

  • Russia’s growth rate and productivity growth have slowed since the 2000s. Economic dependence on fossil fuels has stunted the development of medium- and high-tech industry in Russia. The development of the IT industry in the country could cause a surge in service productivity and thus improve the performance of the country’s economy as a whole.

  • In South Korea, knowledge spillover from IT could similarly reignite economic growth, which has slowed since 2016/2017.

  • Russia-Korean IT cooperation is feasible for the following reasons. Firstly, no evident conflict of interests exists for the countries in the field. Secondly, Russia has a competitive advantage in IT Software, while Republic of Korea has an advantage in IT Hardware. Hence, both countries stand to benefit from the others’ expertise and could harmoniously exchange IT professionals. Lastly, both the Moscow and Seoul actively seek to develop their IT industries.

  • In order for IT cooperation to be successful, however, two steps are necessary. First, good governance must reduce business risks and transaction costs. And second, increased cultural exchange must build mutual trust and minimize misunderstanding.

Liudmila Zakharova

  • The opportunities for cooperation between Russia and Republic of Korea are endless. For example, South Korea tapping into Russia’s vast human resources potential would directly benefit both countries.

  • The mediсal sphere also presents an important opportunity for cooperation. Excitingly, Korea’s Bundang hospital is planning on opening a clinic in the Skolkovo Innovation Centre’s Moscow International Medical Cluster.

  • Naturally, the COVID-19 pandemic was a blow to Russia–Korea trade, however, the countries’ bilateral trade is growing rapidly in 2021. The first quarter of this year saw around 35% growth in turnover. That growth was led by Russian imports from South Korea.

  • Republic of Korea and Russia are both highly motivated to work towards peace and cooperation on the Korean peninsula.

  • The main obstacle companies face when conducting business abroad tends to be linguacultural barriers. An increase in tourism could help break down those barriers. Therefore, the pre-pandemic tourism trends are very promising.

  • Russia and South Korea must keep exchanging ideas even during the pandemic. Luckily, programs like MGIMO’s joint master’s degree program – in which students spend one year in each country – continue.

  • Despite Russia and Korea’s diplomatic ties being just over 30 years long, the countries’ relationship has already matured. Both sides understand the other’s constrains and agree on areas of cooperation. Their diplomatic relationship’s future is bright.

  • Republic of Korea will soon be manufacturing the Sputnik V vaccine. Russian vaccines should be used in South Korea with the same vigor as their American and European counterparts.

Sang Hyun Kim

  • Over 30 years have passed since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Republic of Korea. Although much diplomatic progress has been made during that time, lack of cultural understanding stifles the potential of Russia-Korean relations.

  •  In order for future projects to be successful, there must be a strictly non-political platform on which Russian-Korean culture exchange can take place. A potential name for such a platform is the Korean-Russian Culture Contents Platform. The platform should be jointly managed by representative organizations from both South Korea and Russia. It would emphasize the mutual satisfaction of both sides by encouraging ‘Response-fitted both-ways Partnership in Culture.’ The platform would essentially serve as a cultural portal, gathering mutual interests in culture in one place.

  • A related proposal to increase cultural understanding between Russia and Korea is the 3 scope and step long term strategic plan (3SS LTSP). It aims to engage typical Korean and Russian elements in each other’s culture. The plan targets three segments of society: common people, Korean college-level students majoring in Russian studies, and scholars of Russian studies in Korea. The framework would be the same on the Russian side. The plan identifies education, arts & culture, and tourism as the primary vehicles for promoting intercultural understanding.

The summary of the discussion was prepared with the help of RIAC Intern Genrietta Churbanova.

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Poll conducted

  1. In your opinion, what are the US long-term goals for Russia?
    U.S. wants to establish partnership relations with Russia on condition that it meets the U.S. requirements  
     33 (31%)
    U.S. wants to deter Russia’s military and political activity  
     30 (28%)
    U.S. wants to dissolve Russia  
     24 (22%)
    U.S. wants to establish alliance relations with Russia under the US conditions to rival China  
     21 (19%)
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