(LEAD) S. Korean ambassador to Moscow to attend Russia's economic forum

Seoul, Aug. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's ambassador to Russia, Lee Sok-bae, will attend Russia's annual Eastern Economic Forum this week in Vladivostok, a foreign ministry official revealed on Monday. Lee assumed his position in November and will participate in the international forum, which runs from Tuesday to Friday. Lee's attendance follows an invitation previously received by the ambassador, who was absent during last year's event.

This year's edition has garnered attention due to speculation that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un might travel to Russia for a potential summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the forum. However, Seoul's unification ministry stated it has no plans to participate in the forum. They added they have no information on Kim's attendance but will continue monitoring the situation.

The unification ministry has previously attended the forum. During the pandemic in 2021, then-Unification Minister Lee In-young attended virtually, and director general-level officials joined in other occasions. North Korea has also sent its vice premier or external economic minister to the forum in the past, with Sin Hong-chol representing Pyongyang in 2022.