Russian FM to visit DPRK, ROK over nuclear issue

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is scheduled to visit both two Koreas early next month to discuss the nuclear situation on the Korean Peninsular, the Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

Lavrov will travel to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on July 3 and then move on to the Republic of Korea the next day, ending his trip on July 5, ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said.

"The meetings in Seoul and Pyongyang are expected to address ways to keep the Korean Peninsula nuclear-free and strengthen the non-proliferation regime there," Yakovenko was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying.

"What counts most today is to ensure a smooth and irreversible negotiating process to help find a compromise and consistently move towards settlement," Yakovenko said.

He added that the just-ended third-round of the six-nation talks on the DPRK's nuclear program have confirmed the participants' commitment to finding a solution that will take into account the interests of all parties.

The spokesman also said that Lavrov's upcoming visit will help strengthen Russia's constructive partnership with the two Koreas, improve their mutual understanding and contacts.

Source: Xinhua