Home  Contemporary Issues Contemporary Russian Policy towards the Korean Peninsula
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Contemporary Russian Policy towards the Korean Peninsula |
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 Unfolding a perspective that rarely reaches American audiences, Alexander Vorontsov, head of the section for Korean Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences, recounted a history of recent Russian-Korean relations that could light a way through the current nuclear impasse. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russian relations with the DPRK fell into an ideological chill; early on, Yeltsin wanted to distance Russia from such an "unpleasant" country. But as they came to appreciate that geography would only allow Russia so much distance from the Korean Peninsula, policymakers in Moscow began a slow but steady process of engagement, collaborating on regional rail links, student exchanges and culminating in a symbolic state visit to Pyongyang by President Putin. Vorontsov was the first to concede the difficulties of dealing with the North Korean government, but he insisted "if you have patience, it's possible."
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