South Korean President Welcomes Russia's Stand on North Korean Crisis

South Korean President No Mu-hyon welcomes Russia's standpoint on the North Korean nuclear programme crisis, Song Kyoung-hee, the official spokesperson for the presidential residence Cheong Wa Dae, told journalists, following a meeting between the South Korean leader and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov.

Such steps, as the recent visit to Pyongyang by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov, contributed to the stabilisation of North Korean nuclear developments, No Mu-hyon said.

The solution of this problem would mean further development of Russian-South Korean relations, No Mu-hyon added. The sides should take further efforts for this purpose, he concluded.

According to Song Kyoung-hee, the South Korean leader confirmed his intention to visit Russia in suitable time, the Yonhap news agency (South Korea) reported. Earlier, the South Korean media reported he could make this visit in the course of 2003.

No Mu-hyon assumed office on February 25th, 2003.