Russian Ambassador to South Korea Alexander Timonin has blamed distrust and differences between South and North Korea for the lack of progress in trilateral projects with Russia.

During a forum in Seoul on Wednesday, Timonin said leaders of Seoul and Pyongyang had previously expressed interest in improving inter-Korean relations earlier this year, yet military and political tensions between the two sides have not eased.

The Russian top diplomat said that small businesses in Russia are showing interest in investing in the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, stressing that it is critical for the South Korean government to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

He added that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's absence from the May event celebrating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II will not affect ties and economic cooperation between Russia and the North. Timonin cited that Kim Yong Nam, who often represents the North overseas, took part in the celebrations.