Doing business in Asia, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Russia.

Dr. Alexander Voronstov recently spoke on a panel at UC San Francisco about relations between North Korea and Russia and that relationship's in Asia.

Dr. Volontsov pointed out that a key to maintaining public relations with North Korea is to go through the Russian Federation.

There are several reason for this -

1. Russia is working to connect a gas pipe line with South Korea through North Korea.

2. Dear Kim (cough cough) loves chorus music and accepts regular visits from Russian groups.

3. Every month there are meetings between Kim and the Russian Ambassador at the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang.

4. North Korean students regularly study in Russia and can be a foundation for future good relations.

Hmmm...indeed. Good and strong relations can be established by the most indirect means. Would you agree? And that can be good for business in Russia, Korea and Asia.

Dr. Vorontsov emphasized that it is the Russian policy goal to see the nuclearization of North Korea happen in a peaceful way and that nuclear weapons are unacceptable to Russia.

Further, Dr. Vorontsov mentioned that Russia would like to see, and here's a great word - the democratization and peaceful transformation of North Korea.

Do you think it is possible? Can Russia accomplish this? Why can or can we not trust Russia?

What do you think?

You can contact Dr. Vorontsov at avorontsov@brookings.edu