National Security Adviser in Secret Russia Visit

Cheong Wa Dae's National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong is reportedly on a secret trip to Russia, raising speculation that he went there to meet North Korea's Vice Premier Ri Ryong-nam, who is attending the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.

Diplomatic sources said Chung headed to Russia on Wednesday with other officials. They said he wants to "investigate the political situation in Northeast Asia" while President Moon Jae-in is visiting Southeast Asia.

Ruling party lawmakers here hope that stalled U.S.-North Korea and inter-Korean dialogue can resume next month.

Moon said recently that he wants to invite North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to the ASEAN meeting in Busan in late November, but Ri said this would be impossible and accused South Korea of failing to adhere to cross-border agreements.

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