President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Song Young-gil, I am very happy to see you and your colleagues, and to meet with you again.
I would like to begin our meeting by saying that we greatly appreciate your personal contribution to strengthening Russian-Korean relations. I remember very well that the jack from the Varyag cruiser was sent to Russia in 2010 with your personal support.
You know that during a telephone conversation with the newly elected President of the Republic of Korea, we agreed on a future meeting between us.
I am glad to see you. Welcome!
South Korean Special Presidential Envoy Song Young-gil (retranslated): Thank you for making time in spite of your busy schedule and meeting our delegation personally.
Thank you on our President’s behalf. I would like to express gratitude for your telephone call and your congratulations on the election of a new President.
Our new President Moon Jae-in has a strong will and a great interest in and love for Russia and relations between Russia and Korea. I have a feeling that it will be very easy for you to work with our new President.
I would like to take this opportunity to pass along a message from our President, which outlines our new government’s intentions and political objectives.
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