An expedition from the Institute of Russian Studies at HUFS explored the Siberia Kolyma Federal Highway, a road through the Russian Far East, from July 25 to Aug. 3 to observe historical, cultural and economic changes of this region, along with teams from North Eastern Federal University and the Korean Maritime Institute. The expedition set off from Yakutsk, Siberia, on the 2,000-km journey by land to Magadan, a Russian city on the Sea of Okhotsk coast, which meets the North Pacific.

Kolyma is not only Russia’s major mineral resource producing area but also the center of transportation for material exchanges. It is also associated with numerous ethnic minorities and has significant meaning as a key place for various exchanges between Russia and Korea. The institute has developed researches about Russia by exploring several issues related to modern Russian history and society.

“I was able to work closely with Russian researchers by communicating directly with them. Also, it was a very good experience because I felt that there was an increased possibility of exchanges between Korea and Russia,” said Kang Duck-soo, the director of this project.