From 17 to 24 February 2014 Director of Asia-Pacific International Relations Study Center ( Khabarovsk ) Valery Timoshenko together with  the expert of the  Center Alexander Ivanov visited Republic of Korea to establish scientific contacts. For Russian scientists studying Russia interaction with Asia Pacific, especially with China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, is one of the priority areas for research. According to preliminary analysis of Russian regional geopolitical interests, China is of interest as a stable market for Russian raw materials, Japan is estimated as a provider of investment and technology, because of their high level development for the Russian Federation. According to the last aspectRepublic of Korea is takes interest for Russia, and has preferred technology for the Russian Far East, personnel and professional potential.
In this context, problems of Russian-Korean relations are current interest for the APIR Centre, in order to study more in-depth research of this issue. We are interested in expanding academic contacts with South Korean counterparts.
During the working visit to Republic of Korea Khabarovsk specialists visited Institute of Russian Studies, Hankook University of Foreign Studies, where they met with a leading member of the Institute Professor Kim Sung Rae. After providing a warm welcome Russian guests were showed institute and working conditions of its employees. The Institute is a major research institution located in a picturesque place near the town of Yongin. There are good conditions for employees, many of them speak Russian. In the institute library there are funds and numerous reference books. The Institute regularly publishes scientific journals and collections of scientific works, some of which was donated by members of our Center.
During the official reception, both sides expressed willingness to sign a Memorandum of Understanding. Korean scientists invited Russian experts to take part in the international conference to be held at the University of Hankook in October 2014
Representatives of APIR Center also visited the Institute of Russian Studies at the Hallym University, where they held talks with the director of the Institute Professor Choi Tai-Kahn. Russian and Korean colleagues agreed to sign Contract for a Memorandum of Understanding and to carry out joint research work.