( RIA Novosti ) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Lee Myung-bak on his December 19 election as South Korea's new president, and has invited him to visit Russia.
"I am convinced that your activities as head of state will bring a new quality to the diverse and trusted partnership that exists between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea," Putin said.
The Russian president also thanked Lee Myung-bak for his message of congratulations following the United Russia party's victory in the December 2 Russian parliamentary elections.
The South Korean president said he favored closer cooperation with Russia in developing eastern and northeastern Siberia, possibly with the participation of North Korea as a source of manpower.
He said that if a new government was sworn in next February, the cooperation program could go ahead without delay.
Lee Myung-bak also said South Korea was interested in Russia's energy resources, and that bilateral cooperation would be mutually beneficial.