Speaking in Berlin at the beginning of the month, South Korean President Moon Jae-in stated his intention to pursue trilateral economic cooperation between North Korea, Russia, and South Korea. Specifically, President Moon revived the idea of an energy pipeline that would originate in Russia and traverse the Korean Peninsula. Furthermore, Moon also expressed his hope to unite the three countries through an interconnected rail system.

President Moon's government has made similar statements on North Korea-Russia-South Korea economic cooperation in the past. Shortly after his appointment as the South Korean special presidential envoy to Russia, Song Yeong-gil stated that the new government in Seoul intended to pursue trilateral engagement.