C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 001445

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

NSC FOR CHA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2015
TAGS: KUNR PHUM UNHRC PREL KS
SUBJECT: ROK OPPOSES IRAN'S HRC CANDIDACY

REF: A. STATE 66050


B. SEOUL 1279

C. STATE 60967

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


1. (C) On April 27, POL M/C delivered Ref A points, urging
opposition to Iran's candidacy to the UN Human Rights
Council, to Cho Tae-yong, Director-General of the North
American Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and Trade. The same points were also delivered to Jang
Hyun-cheol, Deputy Director of MOFAT's Human Rights and
Social Affairs Division. Jang confirmed that Seoul was
determined not to support Iran's HRC candidacy. In general,
the ROK would oppose any country for the HRC that faced
international criticism for its human rights practices, such
as Iran. Jang noted that Iran was the subject of an UNGA
human rights resolution in 2005. Seoul also would oppose
those that voted against the establishment of the HRC.


2. (C) Asked whether the ROK would be willing to campaign
against Iran, Jang acknowledged that the ROK was focusing on
getting itself elected the HRC. Seoul was cautiously
optimist about its chances, having already accepted proposals
from others for mutual support of each others' HRC candidacy,
Jang noted. Iran had proposed the same thing, but Korea
declined.


3. (SBU) Poloff separately conveyed Ref A points for
informational purposes to MOFAT's UN Division.
VERSHBOW