[Courtesy of Blue House]
President Moon Jae-in proposed the creation of a far-reaching energy community in Northeast Asia through cooperation with Russia as ties between South Korea and China get soured by differences over how to tame North Korea.
In his address to the third Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok, Moon called for the construction of a Northeast Asia super grid to enhance energy cooperation, which would lay the foundation for an envisioned economic community.
The initiative was part of Moon's grand development strategy that could be compared to China's One Belt One Road Initiative proposed by Xi Jinping that focuses on connectivity and cooperation between Eurasian countries.
Moon's advisory group has worked out a similar development strategy that focuses on enhanced ties with Southeast Asian countries while opening a new era of economic cooperation with Russia under his "New Northward Policy".
Similar ideas were proposed by Moon's predecessors but North Korea has always been an obstacle. Earlier projects to build inland gas pipelines and railways from Russia to South Korea have been scrapped for political reasons such as Pyongyang's nuclear and missile development.
South Korea could become Russia's "best partner" in developing the Far East, Moon told the forum, calling for simultaneous cooperation by placing nine bridges between the two countries in the fields of gas, railway, seaports, electricity, Arctic shipping routes, shipbuilding, job creation, agriculture and fisheries.
Moon said South Korea, the world's second-largest importer of gas, is ready to participate in joint energy development projects in Russia, supporting its "Super Ring" plan to build energy links between its Far East and the Asia Pacific region.
"I wish to propose to all leaders in Northeast Asia to begin our discussions for the establishment of a super grid in Northeast Asia with a greater vision of forming a Northeast Asian economic bloc and a multilateral security system."
President Vladimir Putin said the development of Russia's Far East should be an integral part of measures aimed at improving the country’s competitive capabilities.
"Ensuring the dynamic growth in this region is one of our priorities and an important part of the strategy aimed at improving Russia’s competitive capabilities, strengthening the country’s economy and human capital," he told the forum.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
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