International Cooperation for the Construction of South Korea — North Korea — Russia Pipeline Natural Gas (PNG): Effectiveness and Restrictions

The main purpose of this article is to examine the process and restrictions of the energy cooperation between South Korea and Russia which began with the initiation of the Kovykta gas field project of Irkutsk in the mid-1990s. However, Russia's state-operated gas corporation, Gazprom, reinforced and controlled the governance over the gas field project. Due to Russia's decision to use Kovykta gas for its domestic consumption, the development project was suspended in 2004. In particular, the South Korea — North Korea — Russia PNG cooperative discussion led to a South Korea-Russia MOU in late September 2008, followed by the active discussion between Russian ex-President Medvedev and North Korea' leader Kim, Jong-il, in late August 2011. This project was ultimately predicted to contribute to the stability and peace of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, and to induce the disclosure and pressing of North Korea's denuclearization. However, regardless of such possibility of expanded political and economic cooperation through the South Korea — North Korea — Russia PNG connection, the short-term continuation of the PNG discussions among the three countries is difficult due to variables in North Korea. With regard to the expected effects of this project, internal changes and developments in North Korea will be considered. Although there are such realistic restrictions, this article will explore and analyze the implications of the international cooperation of the South Korea — North Korea — Russia PNG connection project.