Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to dispatch a delegation to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit set for the 31st in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang.
Russia's Sputnik news agency said on the 6th (local time) that President Putin ordered the dispatch of a delegation, and that Deputy Prime Minister for International Affairs Aleksei Overchuk will lead it.
Putin has avoided foreign trips after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him on charges of the forced deportation of Ukrainian children. Because Korea is an ICC member state, it would have to cooperate in executing the warrant if Putin enters the country.
As this year's APEC chair, the Korean government sent invitations to the leaders of all APEC member economies, including Russia. However, Putin has skipped most international conferences since the war with Ukraine in 2022.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to visit Korea on the 29th, two days before the opening, but not attend the main event.