Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says his country is interested in cooperating with South Korea to resolve North Korea’s nuclear issue.

Medvedev made the remark Wednesday during a ceremony at the Kremlin where he received credentials from South Korea’s Ambassador to Moscow, Wi Sung-lac, and seven other newly appointed ambassadors. Medvedev stressed his country’s friendly and cooperative ties with South Korea at the ceremony.

The Russian president said South Korea is one of Russia’s top and favorable partners in the Asia-Pacific region, noting it is in the interest of both nations to upgrade their relations to a strategic partnership.

During a separate meeting, Wi asked the Russian president to attend the Nuclear Security Summit that will open in Seoul next month.

Medvedev said he will attend the summit and that he hopes to meet with President Lee Myung-bak, who he referred to as his friend.