The Russian Embassy hosted dozens of foreign envoys, high-level Korean diplomats and other VIPs at its chancery in the historic Jeong-dong district of Seoul on Tuesday.

They gathered on a drizzly evening to celebrate the 23rd National Day of the Russian Federation, enjoying a well-catered buffet that included traditional delicacies and toasting with Russian vodka.

Russia has raised its international profile by hosting numerous global events recently, said Russian Ambassador to Korea Konstantin Vnukov, who has been his country’s top diplomat here four years, during welcome remarks under a sprawling tent in the garden of the embassy.

For example, the Russian Far Eastern city of Vladivostok hosted the APEC Summit.

Russia’s Republic of Tartarstan will host nearly 14,000 university athletes from around the world in the 27th Summer Universiade scheduled to take place in the city of Kazan in July, and St. Petersburg will host the G20 Summit this September. Also, the Russian Federation city of Sochi will play host to the Winter Olympics in February 2014.

“Russia is consequently strengthening its position in the international arena,” Vnukov said.

(ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)