CAMBODIAN RESPONSE ON NORTH KOREAN REFUGEES

C O N F I D E N T I A L PHNOM PENH 001927 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, EAP/K, PRM; BANGKOK, GENEVA FOR RMA E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2016 TAGS: PREF PREL ASEC PINR CB SUBJECT: CAMBODIAN RESPONSE ON NORTH KOREAN REFUGEES REF: A. A) SEOUL 3600 ¶B. B) STATE 174223 Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Margaret McKean; Reason: 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) In response to reftel demarche, Pol/Econ Chief raised the North Korean refugee issue with MFA Secretary of State Long Visalo on October 19. Visalo said that he would provide the copy of reftel non-paper to the Minister and brief him on the USG request. On the question of sensitivity to Cambodia's relationship with North Korea, Visalo offered that former King Sihanouk had a historic relationship with Pyongyang, but the current Cambodian government does not have significant ties. The MFA official expressed concern over the prospect of undocumented North Koreans crossing into Cambodia from neighboring countries, but nevertheless promised that he would discuss the matter with FM Hor Namhong and provide the Embassy with a response. ¶2. (C) On October 20, the Ambassador and Pol/Econ Chief met on a separate issue with PM advisor Om Yentieng, and also provided him with a copy of the non-paper. P/E Chief explained the USG proposal; Om Yentieng responded that the processing of North Koreans that takes place in Cambodia is the result of an understanding reached between the Prime Minister and the South Korean Ambassador to Cambodia. Like Long Visalo, he also dismissed concern over the sensitivity of the issue in terms of North Korean-Cambodian bilateral relations. However, he did register some concern over the PM's safety due to the proximity of the North Korean Embassy (which is next door) to the PM's residence -- should USG-RGC cooperation on North Korean refugees become public knowledge. Given the South Korean Embassy's interest in the matter, Om Yentieng offered that the RGC would need to consult with the South Korean government and factor the ROK's concerns into a final decision. The PM advisor noted that Cambodia does not distinguish between a North and South Korea per se, but views Koreans as one people. He added that the PM is sensitive to the plight of the North Koreans, given Hun Sen's personal experience of having to seek shelter outside his own country during the Khmer Rouge period. ¶3. (U) The Embassy will report any further discussions of RGC response to our demarche request. MUSSOMELI