Korean, Russian Defense Ministers Hold Conference

On May 16, Korean National Defense minister Cho Seong-tae had a conference with Russian counterpart Igor Sergeyev in Moscow. Cho and Sergeyev both agreed to sign the "Prevention of dangerous military activities" treaty. They also decided to conduct joint sea rescue training this year. One South Korean military officer said that if the treaty was signed by representatives of both countries, accidents like the Korean Airlines crash resulting from Russian gunfire in September 1983 could be prevented.

During the conference, Cho asked Sergeyev to support the upcoming inter Korean summit scheduled for June. The two ministers also discussed decreasing their nuclear weapons and the prevention of the expansion of fatal weapons on the Korean Peninsula. Cho and Sergeyev also agreed to increase military exchange between the two countries.

Russia has already signed the treaty with the United States, Canada, China, and Greece. Russia has asked Korea to sign the treaty three times since 1994, and Korea conveyed its assent via the Russian Embassy in Korea last March.

The treaty contains 11 clauses and its primary purpose is to prevent dangerous military activities and focus on peaceful resolutions conflicts. One Korean military officer revealed that he sees the treaty as a way in which the relationship between South Korea and Russia may be further improved.

by Kim Min-seok