South Korea to Send Ambassador to Russia’s Eastern Economic Forum for First Time Since Ukraine Invasion

South Korea will send its ambassador to Russia to the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, the first time an ambassador has attended the event since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Lee Seok-bae, South Korea’s ambassador in Moscow, will attend the forum from Sept. 1 to 4. A Foreign Ministry official said last year’s ambassadorial post had been vacant, while this year’s attendance followed consideration of the relevant circumstances.

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Last year, the post of ambassador to Russia was vacant, and after considering all relevant circumstances, the ambassador will attend this year’s forum.

Russia holds the annual forum to promote economic development in its Far East and cooperation across the Asia-Pacific. Russian President Vladimir Putin also attends the event. Before the invasion, South Korea sent high-level delegations. Since 2022, it has instead sent the embassy’s economic minister or the consul general in Vladivostok.

A diplomatic source rejected the idea that Seoul had intentionally upgraded its representation. “The invitation came addressed to the ambassador, so the ambassador is understood to be going,” the source said. North Korea’s representative for this year’s forum had not been confirmed. An official said North Korea had generally sent its ambassador to Russia in the past.

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It was not that we received an unnamed invitation and debated whom to send. The invitation came addressed to the ambassador, so the ambassador is understood to be going.