Lee pushes open S. Korean/Russian travel

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VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said freer movement between South Korea and Russia would "intensify relations," between the two countries.

"If the visa regimen between the two countries is canceled, this will help intensify relations between peoples," Lee said at the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation conference in Vladivostok, Russia.

ITAR-Tass reported Saturday that Russian President Vladimir Putin advocated at the conference for increased economic cooperation with South Korea, Russia's third-largest trading partner in the region.

Putin and Lee said they were encouraged by the level of cooperation between the two countries.

"Despite the unfavorable economic situation in the world bilateral relations are developing well," Lee said.