In the course of the conference, several reports were heard, among which was a speech delivered by the candidate of historical sciences and Korean studies expert Oleg Kiryanov, who spoke about his impressions of the trip to Rason, which was made on April 24-28, 2019 at the invitation of the management of “RasonConTrans” JVC.

The speaker noted great changes that had happened with Rason for past 5 years that were the increase of living standards, refinement of the city infrastructure and the city landscape. Particularly, special attention was paid to activity of RasonConTrans JVC - one of the largest coal terminals in the Asia-Pacific region. It was stressed that RasonConTrans JVC and the project of Rajin-Khasan, inextricably linked with the first, were modern high-tech multifunctional complex for the transportation and transshipment of coal.

The advantages of this cooperation were the intensification of trade and economic relations in the region, reducing the deficit of terminal capacities, optimizing freight flows and coal exports due to the benefit location of the terminal on the Korean Peninsula and usage of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Specially, the political dividends of the project were highlighted in the way of stabilizing the situation and reducing tensions in the region.

In the course of the report, the South Korean side was invited to consider the test withdrawal of the project of Rajin-Khasan from the unilateral sanctions imposed by Seoul; joining the Southerners to the project, and partially reorienting routes of suppling the South Korea with Russian-original coal using the capacities of the RasonConTran JVC and the project of Rajin-Khasan. That, as was emphasized, would allow South Korea to give an additional impetus to inter-Korean cooperation, strengthen stability in the region and also provide an opportunity of importing of Russian coal to save on transportation costs.