The seminar was convened to address the significant geopolitical changes following the inauguration of President Trump’s second term and President Putin’s fifth term. It provided a timely opportunity to reassess Korea’s cooperation policies toward the Russian Far East and Arctic under the new Korean administration, and to explore fresh strategic directions for bilateral engagement.

The event commenced with welcoming remarks delivered by Executive Director Sungil Kwak of the Emerging Economy Studies Department at KIEP, and President Sun Rae Kim of the Korean Association for Eurasian Studies. Executive Director Kwak emphasized the urgency of developing a new cooperation strategy for Russia’s Far East and Arctic regions at a critical juncture in the global order. He further expressed hope that the seminar would contribute to establishing Korea’s role as a key partner in the regions, as well as to creating a favorable environment for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.

The main sessions featured expert presentations and in-depth discussions on the following topics: Strategies to enhance practical cooperation between Korea and Russia in the Far East and Arctic regions; Strategic responses to the evolving Russian policy in these regions; and Multilateral cooperation through the Greater Tumen Initiative (GTI).

Participants engaged in wide-ranging deliberations on emerging challenges and policy agendas in Korea-Russia cooperation in the Russian Far East and Arctic, deriving policy implications to guide Korea’s bilateral relations and economic cooperation strategies with Russia.

- Title: 2025 KIEP Northern Policy Seminar

- Topic: Key Issues and Policy Agendas for Korea-Russia Cooperation in the Russian Far East and the Arctic

- Date & Time: Friday, July 25, 2025, 10:00–17:30

- Venue: Thomas Hotel, Myeong-dong, Seoul

- Host: Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)

- Contact: Dongyeon Jeong, Senior Researcher, Russia and Eurasia Team (dyjeong@kiep.go.kr)