North Korea to host Russian gas pipeline?

MOSCOW, July 31 (UPI) -- South Korean officials are set to visit Russia in August to discuss the potential for laying a gas pipeline through North Korean territory.

Seoul and Moscow hope to pump natural gas from the Russian republic of Sakha in the north-central tundra to South Korea through its northern neighbor, RIA Novosti reports, citing Korean-language news outlets.

The South Korean government said Russia would supply enough gas to meet 20 percent of the national demands for the next 30 years through the deal.

Lee Youn-ho, the South Korean economics minister, will meet with Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko to discuss the terms of the provision during the August meeting.

The Korean Gas Corp. and Korean National Oil Corp. will take part in negotiations as well.

The Moscow talks will include discussions on the joint development of oil and gas projects west of Kamchatka and other Far East developments.