Putin in Seoul

President Putin of Russia has begun a two-day visit to South Korea, aimed at increasing Moscow's role in improving the relations between the Koreas.

Last year, Mr Putin became the first Russian leader to visit North Korea.

His talks in Seoul are also expected to focus on trade and economy.

Russia is offering to connect the planned rail link between the Koreas to its Trans-Siberian railway -- a project that would open a new route from South Korea to Moscow and Europe.

Russia's two-point-eight-billion-dollar debt to Seoul is also expected to feature in the talks, with Mr Putin likely to propose offsetting part of it with the sale of defence equipment.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service