Acting director of International Cooperation, Park Sung-min and manager of the International Cooperation Team, Choi Ju-hwa, attended the eighth Vladivostok Forum held at Hyundai Hotel in Vladivostok, Russia on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. Under the theme, “Realizing Advancements in Korea-Russia Cooperation: Meeting New Opportunities and Challenges,” the purpose of the event was to identify follow-up agenda to realize the agreements of the third Eastern Economic Forum and the Korea-Russia Summit, and to seek possible areas for cooperation. The forum was co-hosted by the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) and the Korean Consulate General in Vladivostok.

After the opening ceremony, the forum was divided into four sessions, titled 'Far East Development,' 'Fisheries and Fishing Boat Construction,' 'Arctic Routes and Logistics,' and 'Energy'. From Korea, the forum was attended by public institutions such as the Presidential Committee on Northern Economic Cooperation, the Northern Economic Cooperation Committee, Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements, and the Korea Energy Economics Institute, and several private companies such as Sewon Mars Co., LTD. and CJ Korea Express. From Russia, about 250 participants from various private companies and organizations, including the Far East Development Department, Vladivostok Provincial Government, the Far East Development Fund, and the Admiral Nevelskoy Maritime State University attended. The higher number of Russian participants this year was thought to reflect the enthusiasm and high levels of interest in promoting the New Northern Policy and improving inter-Korean relations.