Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SEOUL2461
2006-07-21 10:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR'S JULY 21 MEETING WITH PRESIDENT ROH'S

Tags:  PREL ETRD MNUC KS KN 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHUL #2461/01 2021025
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O 211025Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9243
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0978
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 7426
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1055
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA SCJS SEOUL KOR
RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA J2 SEOUL KOR
RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA J5 SEOUL KOR
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 002461 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2015
TAGS: PREL ETRD MNUC KS KN
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S JULY 21 MEETING WITH PRESIDENT ROH'S
CHIEF OF STAFF

Classified By: Amb. Alexander Vershbow. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 002461

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2015
TAGS: PREL ETRD MNUC KS KN
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S JULY 21 MEETING WITH PRESIDENT ROH'S
CHIEF OF STAFF

Classified By: Amb. Alexander Vershbow. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).


1. (C) Summary: On July 21, the Ambassador and Lee
Byung-wan, President Roh's Chief of Staff, held a cordial and
wide-ranging discussion on USG efforts to help victims of
recent flooding, the need for a diplomatic solution to the
DPRK missile crisis, presentation of a united front in the
face of the media, and the dispute over pharmaceuticals in
the FTA negotiations. The two met on Jeju Island where they
both gave speeches at a Korean Chamber of Commerce and
Industry-sponsored FTA forum for CEOs of small and
medium-sized companies. END SUMMARY.

USG SUPPORT FOR KOREAN FLOOD VICTIMS
--------------


2. (U) The Ambassador described the extensive flooding he
witnessed first-hand during his trip the previous weekend to
hard-hit Gangwon Province in the Northeast. Lee lamented the
loss of tourism revenue in the popular vacation destination,
and urged the Ambassador to return to the region as a show of
support. The Ambassador spoke of the USG's $50,000 donation
to the Korean Red Cross, which will be used to provide
emergency relief kits to flood victims. This donation is to
help victims as well as show gratitude to the Korean people
for their generosity in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Lee
went on to express concern for flood victims in North Korea,
to which the Ambassador stated his hope that political
problems would not interfere with humanitarian relief.

DPRK
--------------


3. (C) The Ambassador emphasized his hope that the upcoming
meeting of representatives from the Six Party countries in
Kuala Lumpur would steer North Korea toward a diplomatic
path. Lee agreed and downplayed media portrayals of U.S.-ROK
rifts over the DPRK. The Ambassador regretted the
cancellation of Secretary Rice's visit in part because, with
China unable to alter DPRK behavior, the U.S. and Korea may
now have the key role in the Six Party Talks.

U.S.-ROK RELATIONSHIP AS PORTRAYED BY THE MEDIA
-------------- --


4. (C) Citing a headline on the front page of today's The
Korea Times, 'Korea-U.S Alliance Cracking,' the Ambassador
and Lee agreed that it was important for both governments to
ensure the public had accurate information about how the two
governments are cooperating. Citing the need for a
consistent message to the media, the Ambassador said that
President Roh had, on occasion, made statements to the press
that, while aimed at domestic audiences or Japan, created a
negative impression in Washington. He emphasized that both
the U.S. and Korea needed to consider how their public
remarks could be perceived given that all media is global.
Lee's reply emphasized Korea's sensitivity regarding Japan's
historic role on the peninsula. The Ambassador said Korea,
Japan and the U.S., as democracies, must work especially
closely on the challenges in the region, notwithstanding
legitimate historical grievances. He also mentioned that
Prime Minister Koizumi's recent comments on North Korea have
been relatively moderate and that Japan's fall change of
leadership could provide new opportunities for strengthening
the Korea-Japan relationship.

FTA - PHARMACEUTICALS AND PROTESTS
--------------


5. (C) While the Ambassador described the second round of the
FTA negotiations as successful overall, he said the Ministry
of Health and Welfare's plan to publish guidelines on a new
pharmaceutical pricing system was worrisome. U.S.
pharmaceutical companies saw the need for reform in Korea's
healthcare system, but there is concern that a move to the
'positive list' system, without agreeing on the details in
the FTA negotiations, will be disproportionately detrimental
to foreign companies and limit Korean consumers' ability to
obtain the best new drugs at fair prices. Lee elusively
stated that while we may have a difference of opinion, we
agree on equality of opportunity in principle, and stressed
his hope that the two sides will reach a mutually beneficial
agreement. Lee also reiterated Roh's desire to see the FTA

concluded successfully.


6. (C) Upon hearing of the Ambassador's inability to attend a
dinner at FM Ban's house due to anti-FTA protest traffic, Lee
said that the ROKG had anticipated the opposition to the FTA.
He described Korea's pursuit of a KORUS FTA as a move "from a
market economy to an advanced market economy," and said
difficulties were inevitable. He pledged ROKG advocacy for
the FTA, and said that Korea, as the only country in Asia in
which almost half of all citizens were Christian, had shown
itself to be extremely flexible in adapting to change.
VERSHBOW