Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SEOUL1398
2006-04-26 08:07:00
SECRET
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:  

ROK RESPONSE TO RESTRICTING ARMS SALES TO VENEZUELA

Tags:  MARR MASS PARM PREL VE KS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUL #1398 1160807
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 260807Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7556
INFO RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 0073
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//OSD/ISA/EAP// PRIORITY
RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA J2 SEOUL KOR PRIORITY
RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA J3 SEOUL KOR PRIORITY
RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA J5 SEOUL KOR PRIORITY
RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA SCJS SEOUL KOR PRIORITY
S E C R E T SEOUL 001398

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

PACOM FOR FPA HUSO
JOINT STAFF FOR NESA-LTC DEALE
OSD FOR ISA/KOREA LTC FINNEGAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2014
TAGS: MARR MASS PARM PREL VE KS
SUBJECT: ROK RESPONSE TO RESTRICTING ARMS SALES TO VENEZUELA

REF: A. STATE 36506


B. STATE 18378

C. SEOUL 474

D. SEOUL 432

Classified By: POL M/C Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b,d).

(S) Following up on Ref C and D discussions, on April 26,
MOFAT South America Division Director Park Dong-won conveyed
to PolMil Chief the ROKG's response on the U.S. request to
restrict arms sales to Venezuela. Apologizing for the late
reply, Park said the ROKG interagency had deliberated very
carefully on the sensitive matter. The ROKG fully understood
the USG's strong concerns about sale of arms to Venezuela.
However, given the ROK's small volume of arms exports to
Venezuela, the ROKG decided that imposing a complete embargo
could lead to unnecessary misunderstanding between the ROK
and other Latin American countries. Therefore, the ROKG
would allow one ongoing contract for transfer of munition
components to conclude. In response to questions, Park
clarified that the contract had been signed last year and
that most of the items had already been delivered. As far as
MOFAT is aware, there was no other pending transfer of
defense items. Although that one transaction would proceed,
Park said the ROKG would scrutinize closely all future arms
related exports to Venezuela, following relevant ROK export
policy and regulations, and stop as necessary those that
might cause destabilizing effect.
VERSHBOW