(LEAD) Park to begin eight-day trip to Russia, China, Laos on Friday

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with new info, details)

By Song Sang-ho

SEOUL, Sept. 1 (Yonhap) -- President Park Geun-hye will embark on an eight-day trip on Friday to attend back-to-back summits in Russia, China and Laos where she is expected to seek str