South Korean President Moon Jae-in stressed the importance of good relations with Asian and European nations, including Russia, vowing to further improve Seoul's diplomatic ties with the countries in a meeting with his special envoys to the regions.

"I applaud you and also congratulate you on your return after successfully fulfilling all your duties as special envoys," the president told the envoys in the meeting held at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.

The meeting involved Rep. Song Young-gil of the ruling Democratic Party who recently returned from a trip to Moscow to deliver Moon's message to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Others were Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, who returned Friday after a six-day trip to the Philippines, the current chair of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Park's trip included visits to Indonesia and Vietnam, also members of ASEAN.

"Also, the ASEAN countries form the second-most-important region in the world for us in terms of trade and investment. It is also the region most visited by our people," the president noted.

Moon also stressed the importance of Russia, especially in dealing with provocative North Korea.

"Cooperation with Russia itself is very important, and a good relationship with Russia could also provide us with a strong measure in handling South-North relations," he said, adding his special envoy's discussion with the Russian president about such issued marked a "great achievement."

Song's trip to Moscow came after Putin personally called the new South Korean president to congratulate him on his election and inauguration.

Monday's meeting also involved Cho Yoon-je, a professor from Seoul's Sogang University, who acted as Moon's special envoy to the European Union and Germany.

Earlier reports suggested Moon asked his Russian and European counterparts to help rid North Korea of its nuclear weapons.

Putin was earlier quoted as saying he was willing to send an emissary to Pyongyang to learn more about the communist North's intentions.

"The problem should be solved through dialogue because using sanctions alone has limitations, and it could also work against North Korean people and incur humanitarian issues," the Russian leader was quoted as saying.

Song also delivered a message to Moon from the Russian leader.

"During my courtesy call on President Putin, he agreed to hold a summit (with Moon) before the G20 summit," the special envoy to Russia said. The G20 summit is set to be held in Germany's Hamburg on July 7-8.

"Through our meetings in Russia, we explained our firm determination to develop the strategic partnership between Korea and Russia, and discussed ways to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula," Song was quoted as saying.

Monday's meeting marked Moon's second meeting with his special envoys after his earlier meeting with envoys to the United States, Japan and China. (Yonhap)