South, North Korean Diplomats Meet

South and North Korean diplomats in Russia attended an event hosted by the Russian- Koreans Association (Chairperson: Vassili Cho) celebrating the Lunar New Year at a restaurant in Moscow. The diplomats have seen each other at public events but have hardly met otherwise. The event was a result of efforts by ethnic Koreans in Russia.

Cho, in charge of preparing the event, said, “This event was made possible because North Korean diplomats participated for the first time in six years. But it’s a pity that North Korean Ambassador Park Eui Choon couldn’t make it.”

“Let’s meet more often”-

North Korean diplomats in Russia have avoided events in which their South Korean counterparts take, part but accepted the Russian-Korean Association invitation without hesitation.

Ambassador Kim Jae-sub and Consul General Byun Dae-ho attended the event on behalf of the Korean Embassy, while Councilor Yoon Jung Gyu and his wife attended on behalf of North Korea. Ambassador Park had overlapping schedules.

As the event went on, Byun approached Yoon and offered a toast as 200 ethnic Koreans cheered.

“The New Year is the greatest holiday of our people, but today I sense that unification would replace it as the greatest holiday,” Yoon said.