SEOUL, January 9. /TASS/. Russia's new ambassador to Seoul Georgy Zinoviev handed over copies of his credentials to South Korean Foreign Ministry protocol chief Kim Tae-jin, according to a message on the embassy's Facebook page (prohibited in Russia due to its ownership by Meta, which has been designated as extremist).

"During the meeting, which took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, the parties expressed their common intention to make efforts in the interests of developing bilateral relations," the statement said.

A decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin appointing Zinoviev as ambassador was published on December 7. He previously served as the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's First Department of Asia.

Zinoviev has yet to present his credentials to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.