▲ Russian president Vladimir Putin speaks during a press briefing in Hanoi, Vietnam, on June 21, 2024, in this EPA file photo. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Aug. 25 (Yonhap) -- The unification ministry said Tuesday the government has yet to decide whether to attend an international economic forum to be held in Russia next week.

The annual Eastern Economic Forum is scheduled to be held from Sept. 1-4 in Vladivostok amid attention over whether North Korean leader Kim Jong-un might travel to Russia for a possible summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of the forum.

The unification ministry said government agencies are still in consultations over whether to send officials to the forum.

"It has not been decided yet," a ministry official told reporters. "If (the government) takes part in the forum, we may need close communication with Russia (to discuss) peace on the Korean Peninsula."

No signs have been detected of the North Korean leader's potential attendance at the forum, according to the official.

The unification ministry appears to believe that South Korea's attendance at the forum could serve as a chance to promote communication with Russia to bring peace to the peninsula. But others think it is not appropriate for Seoul to officially attend the forum amid Russia's war with Ukraine.

In 2021, then Unification Minister Lee In-young attended the forum online during the COVID-19 pandemic and director general-level officials also attended it on other occasions.

North Korea previously sent its vice premier of the cabinet or external economic minister to the Russia forum. North Korean Ambassador to Russia Sin Hong-chol attended the forum in 2022, but since 2023 the North has not disclosed whether it took part in the event.

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