MOSCOW, June 5 (RIA Novosti) – North Korea is set to ease travel restrictions for Russian investors and let them surf the Internet while in the country, Russia’s Far East Development Minister Alexander Galushko said Thursday.
“The Korean side has informed us about decisions made on an array of urgent issues that would be of interest to Russian investors. Russian entrepreneurs and people working at Russian companies with branches in DPRK will now have an opportunity to obtain multiple-entry visas after a simplified procedure,” Galushko said.
He added Russian visitors will be allowed to access the Internet and use mobile networks, meaning they will now enjoy unprecedented connectivity while working in this secluded Asian country.
It was also reported earlier that Moscow and Pyongyang had signed a deal to use the Russian national currency ruble for payments between the two countries as part of an effort to boost their bilateral trade.
The announcement came as Russian officials have expressed a desire to explore new markets for the country's businesses, following the introduction of sanctions by the West in reaction to Russia's stance over Crimea. Russian leaders have simultaneously reassured international investors the country remains open for business, and there are no plans to restrict international commerce.
At the same time, Russia said in May it agreed to write off 90 percent of Korea’s debt to the former Soviet Union, which amounted to 10.94 billion dollars as of September 17, 2012. The remaining ten percent (1.09 billion dollars) are to be paid off in a total of 40 installments over the next 20 years.
