On Friday, July 18, NEAR Secretary-General Lim Byung-jin met with Ms. Oksana Doudnik, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Busan, during her visit to the NEAR Secretariat, to exchange views on strengthening mutual cooperation.
Secretary-General Lim welcomed Consul General Doudnik and expressed his gratitude for the Consulate’s continued support for NEAR, particularly in encouraging active participation by NEAR’s Russian member governments.
He also shared the key outcomes of his recent official visit to Russia, including stops in Krasnoyarsk Krai, the Republic of Buryatia, and Irkutsk Oblast, and outlined NEAR’s major upcoming events for the second half of the year. In particular, he requested a video congratulatory message from the Consul General for the upcoming NEAR Youth Leaders Forum, scheduled to take place in early August.
Secretary-General Lim further conveyed that Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, a Korean member of NEAR, hopes to invite a Russian performance troupe to participate in the Tamna Cultural Festival this October. He requested the Consulate’s support in facilitating this cultural exchange.
In response, Consul General Doudnik emphasized that NEAR is recognized as an important organization not only by the Consulate General but also by the Russian Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. She highly praised NEAR’s efforts in promoting cultural, academic, and youth exchanges among local governments in Northeast Asia. She expressed her willingness to continue supporting NEAR’s activities to the fullest extent possible.
Secretary-General Lim also introduced the Korean government’s adoption of Arctic Sea Route development as a national policy priority, noting that NEAR’s Korean member governments, particularly Pohang Yeongil New Port, are taking proactive steps in preparation for this strategic initiative. He requested the Consulate’s interest and support to help position Yeongil Port as a key hub along the future Arctic shipping route.
Consul General Doudnik responded positively, stating that she would take a closer look at the port and expressed her openness to continued dialogue on the matter.
As part of her visit, Consul General Doudnik also toured the POSCO History Museum and Promotion Hall, arranged by the NEAR Secretariat.