Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that he hopes to restore relations between his country and South Korea, according to a news report. Putin made the remark during a credentials presenting ceremony with new ambassadors to Moscow, including Seoul's top envoy Lee Sok-bae. "Unfortunately, much of the positive capital in our interaction with the Republic of Korea has been squandered," Russia's RIA Novosti quoted him as saying. "Yet, in the past, by adhering to pragmatic approaches, our countries achieved truly good results in trade and business. We hope to restore relations with the republic."