President Roh Moo-hyun is set to hold summit talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week in Moscow.

The presidential office announced Thursday that Mr. Roh will make a one-day stopover in Kazakhstan on Sunday before flying to Moscow on Monday for a three-day visit.

Roh and Putin are expected to adopt a joint statement after their summit talks, which are expected to cover a wide range of issues. The two leaders will discuss a proposal to link the cross-border Korean railway with the trans-Siberian railway and cooperation in the energy sector, including a Siberian gas development project.

Roh is also expected to seek Moscow's help in resolving the ongoing North Korean nuclear standoff.

The South Korean president is to be accompanied by some 50 business leaders and heads of conglomerates.

His visit to Russia comes upon the 120th anniversary of the adoption of the Korea-Russia Friendship and Trade Treaty as well as the 140th anniversary of Korean immigration to Russia.

Roh's visit to Kazakhstan, meanwhile, will be the first by a South Korean head of state since the two countries established diplomatic ties 12 years ago.