Seoul, July 26: Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov arrived in South Korea on today to discuss inter-Korean reconciliation efforts and Russia's possible role as a facilitator in the process. Ivanov's schedule included a tribute to South Korea's war dead at the national cemetery and a courtesy call on president Kim Dae-Jung. South Korean foreign minister Choi Sung-Hong planned to host a dinner for Ivanov.

The Russian will leave on Sunday for Pyongyang, where he will meet his North Korean counterpart, Paek Nam Sun, and possibly North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. Last summer, Kim Jong Il, who reportedly dislikes flying, spent 24 days crossing Russia by train, from east to west and back, with an entourage of aides and officials. South Korea wants Russia to use any influence it may have on North Korea as a way to promote reconciliation on the peninsula. On his Korean tour, Ivanov is also likely to discuss plans to build a railway across the Korean peninsula, linking Seoul and Pyongyang, and connect it to Russia's Trans-Siberian railroad. The project, if completed, would allow South Korea to transport goods more cheaply, via a direct rail link, to Europe.

Russia has expressed concern about a deadly naval class between the Koreas on June 29. Yesterday, in an abrupt turnaround, North Korea expressed regret for the incident and proposed talks with South Korea. Bureau Report