Contact flight: Russia and South Korea may expand maritime communication

Russia and South Korea have prospects for expanding ferry routes, Russian Ambassador to Seoul Georgy Zinoviev told Izvestia. The demand for the sea route against the background of the lack of direct flights was clearly confirmed by the resumption of flights between Vladivostok and Korean Sokcho. The geography of transportation could cover the ports of Mukho and Gangnam, which is especially important against the background of the rapid growth of tourist traffic. By the end of 2025, the number of Russians visiting South Korea increased by 30%. This dynamic was also facilitated by visa liberalization in China and the advent of combined tours. What exactly makes Russian travelers choose the Republic of Korea is in the Izvestia article.

Which ports of South Korea can be reached from the Russian Federation

While there is no direct flight service, the only way to get to South Korea without a transfer is by sea. The main load falls on the Vladivostok–Donghae line. In addition, the Vladivostok –Sokcho route has recently been operating, which was suspended in 2024 and resumed only in the fall of 2025, the cultural center of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea drew the attention of Izvestia.

The ports of Donghae and Sokcho are located on the east coast of the republic, in Gangwon Province. There is an international passenger terminal in Donghae, allowing tourists to travel to key attractions in the province and to Seoul by rail. Sokcho is already a major tourist center, with Soraksan National Park, beaches and resorts nearby. On the Korean side, the restoration of routes with Vladivostok is presented as a regional tourism project and a way to revitalize port activities.

The resumption of ferry service indicates its high demand, Russian Ambassador to Seoul Georgy Zinoviev said in an interview with Izvestia.

— It seems that the prospects for the development of ferry services are not bad, but it cannot become an alternative to direct flights, — he said.

As for the theoretical expansion of geography, first of all, it is worth considering the ports of the east coast close to Primorye, as the Mukho hub can contribute to the development of tourism. When creating the necessary infrastructure for international calls, the Gangnam port can also be adapted.

The inclusion of larger ports such as Busan, Pohang or Incheon in the ferry service is not worth waiting for.: they are considered less practical due to the long range of routes and the complexity of their operation.

In general, it is not so easy to start operating a ferry port. It should have an official international status with an active checkpoint, and its infrastructure should be prepared for the ferry format, including berthing facilities and safety schemes.

Atmosphere of openness: Japan and South Korea are waiting for direct flights to Russia

Both carriers and public organizations are calling for the restoration of air traffic.

More and more Russians are visiting South Korea

Despite the development of sea routes, there have been no direct flights between the countries since 2022. As Georgy Zinoviev noted earlier, so far nothing indicates that the situation will change. Seoul has stopped flights and refused to use Russian airspace, fearing secondary sanctions, and there has been no noticeable progress in lifting these restrictions.

However, this does not mean at all that there is no interest in resuming direct flights among Korean carriers. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko earlier told Izvestia that the two countries' airlines were in contact on the issue. However, Korean Air said it was ready to discuss returning to Russian destinations only after conditions had "normalized." In fact, this only means a political decision by Seoul.

Despite the transportation difficulties, Russians' interest in South Korea is growing. If in 2024 about 200 thousand citizens of the Russian Federation visited the country, then in 2025 this figure was at the level of 260 thousand — an increase of 30%.

In South Korea, Russians are attracted by sightseeing, cultural, educational and medical tourism, as well as study trips and business missions, Dmitry Gorin, vice president of the Russian Union of Travel Industry (PCT), told Izvestia. Travel operators in Russia work with host Korean companies.

The growth of tourist flow could also be influenced by the appearance of combined tours, for example, trips to both South Korea and Japan.

— Another factor: Chinese airlines have actively entered the transportation market after the pandemic. And the abolition of visas in China also played a role: many use a combination of China and South Korea," the expert added.

The counterflow from Korea to Russia is much more modest: according to the border service of the FSB of the Russian Federation, in 2025, 12.5 thousand citizens of the republic visited our country for the purpose of tourism.

Moscow and St. Petersburg remain the key points of attraction for Koreans, while Primorsky Krai retains the status of the main "entry point" for Asian markets due to transport accessibility.

However, otherwise relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea remain tense. Political dialogue and most of the economic ties have been reduced or cancelled due to sanctions. Cooperation is maintained only in targeted areas with minimal risks: in trade in raw materials and agricultural products. This has affected trade turnover: by the end of 2025, it amounted to about $10.9 billion, while in 2021 this figure reached $29.9 billion.