Abstract
After MoonJae In was elected president of the Republic of Korea in May 2017 relations between Russia and South Korea began to gain momentum. Both sides have special hopes to develop cooperation in the economic sphere and uncap the existing underutilized potential of the joint development of the Russian Far East. The paper analyzes reasons of sluggish economic performance in bilateral relations in the recent years and emphasizes opportunities for the future revival of trade and investment cooperation between Russia and the Republic of Korea. Prospects of the conclusion of free trade agreement (FTA) between the Eurasian Economic Union and the ROK are considered from both sides' perspectives. The article examines the main directions of the «new northern policy» and "nine bridges" initiative announced by the South Korean leader and compares them with Moscow's interests and opportunities to expand economic cooperation. The study is based on an analysis of official documents of the Republic of Korea, as well as the authors' interviews with South Korean scholars and official representatives in 2017 and early 2018. The article reveals potential obstacles to the achievement of the declared goals and suggests options for their elimination.
Keywords
Russia, Republic of Korea, economic cooperation, new northern policy, Moon Jae In, development of the Far East
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