[Column] S. Korea-Russia ties neglected

Since the first establishment of amenities between Korea and Russia 10 years ago, not only has Russia lost most of its international clout as a superpower, but also it has failed to take the opportunity to utilize its unique position of having diplomatic relations with both Koreas to bring about peace and reconciliation.

However, Russia has repositioned itself for a greater political role in the peninsula. The young and ambitious 40ish President Vladimir Putin has been succeeding in bringing stability to Russia`s political situation through strengthening of the central authority. The Russian economy has begun to show signs of recovery.

Russia, which has a long tradition of nationalism, has always marked the existence of the strong absolutist regime as the sign of strength. However, Putin has based his strength in the historical cultural heritage of Russians and their approval. Putin proposes to build a strong Russia through such foundations. After having achieved stability both economically and politically with the success of having brought the large private conglomerates in line and established tax revenues, he has now turned his attention to assertive diplomacy.

From its by-gone days as the center of the Soviet Union, the role of Russia in East Asia has been very limited. The Russian-Japanese relationship has hit a snag due to the issue concerning the possession of islands contested between Russian and Japan. The strategic alliance of the Russia-Chinese relationship always has been under the sway of the Chinese. It is time for Russia to find a breakthrough that overhauls the current Russian role in Asia.

The current state of affairs on the peninsula following the inter-Korean Summit has transformed and become fluid. As such, Russia must overcome its lack of influence and presence in the region and must find a breakthrough. Putin`s visit to North Korea in July, an historical first-time visit by a Russian leader to North Korea, underlies this transformation. It has had a double impact in that it also has become that which lays pressure on the South Korea having neglected Russia for the past 10 years.

As the very talks have shifted from the U.S.-North Korea to an inter-Korean dialogue for such issues as the missile problem, Russia is jockeying for position to fill the void left by the United States. Although at one time a joke by the North`s leader Kim Jung-Il caused a media circus, Putin has made strides during the G-8 Summit in Okinawa concerning the North`s missile development program.

It looks as though Russia will play a greater role on the Korean peninsula and that North Korea seems ready to aggressively utilize the new Russian position.

The reason for such a development is that not only does the North stand to gain many diplomatic and military benefits through greater development of ties with Russia, but North Korea also can utilize its ties with Russia as a bargaining chip at the talks with the United States. It is not a coincidence that the North has been pushing aggressively for the next North Korea-Japan talks venue to be Moscow.

Furthermore, Putin has expressed great interest in the development of the Far East Siberian region. Not only is it for the balanced development of the Siberian region in the light of the fact that 60% of the crude oil in western Siberia has been extracted, but also as the eastern Siberian region can become a focal point of mutual transactions in the Eurasia.

It is not surprising that Russia aggressively seeks to build a "rail silk road" through a railway connection from Europe to Korea, and other oil pipeline connections. It is certain that Russia has taken a new road on the Korean conflict.

Ten years ago, as South Korea established diplomatic ties with Russia, great expectations were felt. However, with the breakup of the Soviet Union, the influence of Russia has greatly decreased. Accordingly, South Korea`s hopes and attention toward Russia faded.

Russia is not a nation on the other side of the globe. It lies next to North Korea and should the two Koreas unite, Russia will share a border with unified Korea. Have we neglected Russia for too long? It is one of the largest nations in the world, and we need to re-examine Russia with its vast resources.

In addition, Russia does have within its capability to guarantee a speedy development of ties between the two Koreas. Russia is satisfied with the current improvement of ties between the two Koreas, and it will begin to make its presence felt more so than before. As such, it might even be able to prevent a possible break-down of ties between the two Koreas.

It would be advisable to re-examine the South Korea-Russian relationship as a guarantee for the continued improvement of the inter-Korean relationship.

Kang Won-Sik, professor of Russian politics at Kwandong University