GYEONGGI PROVINCE GOVERNOR'S AMBITIOUS AGENDA

UNCLAS SEOUL 003366 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KS SUBJECT: GYEONGGI PROVINCE GOVERNOR'S AMBITIOUS AGENDA SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The Ambassador met with Kim Moon-soo, the newly elected Governor of Gyeonggi Province, on September 28. His province is of particular interest at this time because the majority of U.S. troops currently stationed at Yongsan in Seoul will be relocated to a base in the city of Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi province. Kim outlined a number of initiatives that he is undertaking in an attempt to forge better relations between U.S. troops stationed in his province and the local Korean population. (NOTE: 87 percent of U.S. troops in Korea are stationed within the Gyeonggi province boundaries. END NOTE). His plans range from multi-cultural festivals to U.S. soldiers and family members volunteering as English teachers in the local schools. Kim reassured the Ambassador that progress will move forward on the relocation of U.S. troops to Pyeongtaek and affirmed his commitment to a smooth transition for USFK, while also looking for economic opportunities that would bring long-term benefits to his province. END SUMMARY. TROOPS FOR TEACHERS -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The recurring theme of Kim's message was to better involve the English-speaking community in the education of his province's children. In particular, Kim has proposed a plan to General Bell and Lieutenant General Trexler to have USFK provide a corps of volunteer native-English language instructors for local schools. Noting that it costs approximately $50,000 dollars to bring in a language instructor to Korea for a year, Kim called this a cost-effective method to deal with the drastic shortage of native English speakers in the schools. (NOTE: Kim estimates that they can only fill 20 percent of the English teaching positions in Gyeonggi province at present. END NOTE). Economics aside, Kim said that using soldiers as teachers was another method for local students to gain respect for U.S. troops, citing the Korean saying that a King, Teacher and Father are all one. Kim further emphasized his point by noting that he may not always listen to his own brother, whom he greatly admires, but he will always respect his former teachers, even from 40 years ago. ¶3. (SBU) When asked if the Ambassador and other Embassy officers might also participate in the teaching program, the Ambassador explained the current methods of outreach with the public in the form of 85 Fulbright exchanges each year that bring Americans to smaller villages in Korea as well as the American Corners in Busan, Daegu and Kwangju. The Ambassador agreed that this type of exchange will certainly help to bridge gaps between the two cultures and he would look for ways to involve the Embassy staff when possible. In addition to the soldiers volunteering, spouses of soldiers should also have the opportunity to work in the schools as paid instructors to provide employment opportunities to attract more USFK families to come to Pyeongtaek. PROTESTS IN PYEONGTAEK -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Voicing concern over the intensity and frequency of anti-U.S. protests in Pyeongtaek, the Ambassador inquired as to the makeup of the protestors and the local sentiment in the area around the new base. Kim explained that a Catholic priest, who happens to be a close friend of the Governor, was one of the leaders of the protests against the relocation of troops to Pyeongtaek. In discussions with the priest, Kim bluntly asked where the troops should go if they must leave Seoul. The priest said the troops should remain in Korea but that he felt bad for the farmers who were being displaced by the U.S. base expansion necessary for the relocation effort. Speaking as a former anti-U.S. protestor himself, Kim said that the protestors could not be persuaded to change their opinion since the last two Presidential administrations brought out anti-U.S. sentiment among the Korean people. ¶5. (SBU) The Ambassador further noted that delays in the base expansion in Pyeongtaek also affected the timetable for building a new Embassy at Camp Coiner. Although the current living situation and location of Embassy officers and U.S. troops on Yongsan is comfortable and convenient, he reminded Kim that the relocation out of Seoul was necessary for the long-term welfare of the alliance, and Gyeonggi Province would benefit economically from the move. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Kim said that, contrary to protesting the move of U.S. forces to Pyeongtaek, many locals see the move as an opportunity to invigorate the economy by opening stores, restaurants, and educational centers targeting the dramatic influx of people that will accompany the move. In particular, Kim stated he was hopeful that an American university would consider opening a field campus near Camp Humphreys. When approached with the idea, Kim said General Trexler, Commander of the 7th Air Force stationed in Pyeongtaek, welcomed the notion and suggested that maybe his alma mater, the University of Missouri, should be approached for this type of relationship. Kim envisions that a U.S. university would provide services to both U.S. troops as well as local students eager to receive a U.S. education who may be unable to afford the cost. Taking the thought further, Kim said he planned to seek other forms of U.S. investment in the form of hospitals, factories, and businesses. ¶7. (SBU) Kim said he planned to develop more suitable housing options for U.S. troops to better attract families as opposed to unaccompanied soldiers. By providing adequate housing, job opportunities at local schools, and a more vibrant shopping and entertainment venue, Kim said he planned to make Pyeongtaek a sought-after post for soldiers and their families. Foreign Relations Advisor, Ambassador Kim Young-mok, delivered the same message on behalf of Vice Governor Won Yoo-chul. Ambassador Kim added his own request that Ambassador Vershbow lobby the ROKG to create a rail link between Pyeongtaek city and port to provide travel alternatives to U.S. troops in addition to the other local opportunities. Ambassador Vershbow said this was an interesting idea, but fell outside his role as a foreign Ambassador. NORTH KOREAN INITIATIVES -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Asked to explain further his initiatives to support economic development and human rights in North Korea, the Governor affirmed his continued support for agricultural programs to provide food to North Koreans as well as the technology to do farming more efficiently. As an example, Kim noted that a team of 40 Gyeonggi Province workers was currently in Pyongyang to assist with the rice harvest under the care and sponsorship of Gyeonggi Province. Although the North invited 150 people (including the Governor) from the province to come for the event, in light of his own party's political sensitivities, the U.S. position, and the recent UNSCR resolution 1695, Kim decided not to travel to Pyongyang at this time. ¶9. (SBU) Despite Kim's reluctance to travel to North Korea, he remains undeterred in his aspirations to help the people there. He expressed his desire and duty to help all North Koreans experience the joys of liberty and democracy available in South Korea and the United States. Ambassador Vershbow agreed with the grass-roots approach to promoting change in the North, rather than aiding the North Korean regime. At the same time, he found it ironic that many of Kim's former protestor colleagues who railed against the U.S. in the 1980's for not calling for a more democratic society in South Korea were the same people who today were critical of the U.S. for speaking out against the lack of democratic freedoms in North Korea. POSITIVE OUTLOOK FOR FTA -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Governor Kim agreed with the Ambassador that given more time, the FTA would emerge in a positive light in Korea. The missing element at this time was an actual agreement that can be analyzed and reviewed objectively. Too many college students were protesting against the agreement that they perceived would result from a smaller economy (South Korea) negotiating with a much larger economy (the U.S.) and losing out. The Ambassador reminded Kim that any viable trade agreement would need to reflect mutual concessions and a balance of interests if we hoped to see it passed in the respective legislatures of each country. Contrary to popular belief, the U.S. did not possess "magical powers" to elicit unilateral concessions from its negotiating counterparts. VERSHBOW