The President, who is currently on a state visit to St. Petersburg, attended the closing ceremony of the second annual Korea-Russia Dialogue (KRD) forum with Russian President Dimitry Medvedev on Wednesday, November 2.

During his congratulatory speech, the President expressed his satisfaction with the multi-dimensional expansion of exchange and cooperation and the normalization of high-level talks that have characterized bilateral relations since the development of the Korea-Russia strategic partnership in 2008.The President also called for closer economic cooperation between the two countries, centering on development in far eastern Siberia.

The President next gave a positive assessment of the Korea-Russia Dialogue forum and its success in bringing together a diverse group of participants from different sectors and age groups. The President expressed hope that the Korea-Russia Dialogue will play a central role in promoting civilian-level exchange and cooperation. He stressed the importance of civilian-level relations to pursuing future-oriented progress at the government level.

This year''s Korea-Russia Dialogue took place at the Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg from October 31 to November 2 and focused on the theme of "Modernization and Innovation." The closing ceremony on November 2 was attended by high-level officials from both countries and approximately 200 guests from their respective political, economic, cultural, academic, and media sectors.

By Kwon Jungyun
Korea.net Staff Writer