JAPANESE EMBASSY REPORTS TOKYO TO BEGIN MAPPING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 001271 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2015 TAGS: PBTS PHSA PREL EFIS MOPS KS JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE EMBASSY REPORTS TOKYO TO BEGIN MAPPING OPERATIONS IN DISPUTED WATERS ON APRIL 21 REF: A. TOKYO 2072 ¶B. SEOUL 1246 Classified By: POL M/C Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b),(d). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) The Japanese Embassy in Seoul informed us April 18 that Japan will begin mapping operations on April 21 in waters that both Tokyo and Seoul claim as within their Exclusive Economic Zone. Japanese Embassy First Secretary Yamamoto told poloff that if faced with physical resistance by ROK forces, the Japanese would cease operations in order to avoid a confrontation. Vice Foreign Minister Yachi has been in touch with ROK Ambassador to Japan Ra Jong-il in search of a compromise, but Yamamoto expressed pessimism that common ground could be found. COMMENT: All of the major Korean media outlets are carrying dramatic coverage of this issue, with numerous references to a "full-blown confrontation" or a "physical clash" between the two countries. Many of the media reports have equated the issue with the two countries' dispute over the Dokdo/Takeshima Islands. Given that the ROK is in the middle of a political campaign, and the neuralgic Korean attitude toward Japan, it will be difficult for the Roh Administration to compromise on this issue. END SUMMARY. ROK INTENDING TO PROPOSE "POLITICAL" NAMES TO SCUFN -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Poloff met on April 18 with Japanese Embassy First Secretary Yasushi Yamamoto to discuss the controversy between SIPDIS the ROK and Japan over Japanese plans to conduct maritime mapping operations in an area both sides claim as part of their Exclusive Economic Zones. (POL M/C's appointment to discuss the issue with Lee Hyuck, Director General for Asian Affairs, was canceled because Lee was testifying on the controversy at the National Assembly.) Yamamoto repeated ref A explanation that Japan needed to conduct mapping operations of the seabed in preparation for the June meeting of the Subcommittee on Undersea Features Names (SCUFN) in Germany. According to Yamamoto, the ROK intended to propose "political" names for many of the submarine features in the area and Japan needed the mapping information in order to prepare a counterproposal. JAPAN WILL NOT ENTER AREA AROUND LIANCOURT ROCKS -------------- --- ¶3. (C) Although Tokyo had announced that it intended to undertake mapping operations in a large section of the disputed area, in fact it would only conduct operations in the far western corner of the area, Yamamoto explained. He added that the mapping operations would approach, but not enter, the twelve-mile area around the Liancourt Rocks (known in Korea as the Dokdo Islands and in Japan as the Takeshima Islands). JAPAN WILL NOT RISK HOSTILITIES . . . -------------- ¶4. (C) Yamamoto said Japan had announced the operations would be conducted by the end of June. In fact, Tokyo had informed the ROK that two unarmed Japanese Coast Guard vessels would begin operations on April 21. The ROK had made clear that it would physically repel the Japanese ships. Yamamoto said that even if the area involved were indisputably in South Korea's EEZ, Japan would still have the right to conduct mapping operations within the area without requesting permission. Although it would be an act of war for the ROK to seize or board the ships and Japan would have Coast Guard vessels within a half-day's sailing time, Japan would cease its operations if confronted and would not risk hostilities, said Yamamoto. . . . BUT PESSIMISTIC ABOUT A COMPROMISE -------------- ¶5. (C) Yamamoto reported that Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Yachi had met April 17 with ROK Ambassador to Japan Ra Jong-il to seek a compromise on the issue. If the ROK were to promise not to propose new names at the SCUFN meeting, Japan might agree not to undertake mapping operations. Noting that ROK President Roh Moo-hyun was meeting with Uri Party representatives that same afternoon, however, and that closely-contested local elections were scheduled in the ROK for next month, Yamamoto pronounced himself pessimistic on the chances of finding a compromise. VERSHBOW