DEMARCHE DELIVERED: TRANSITION OF KOREAN-LED PRT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 003391 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2014 TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL UNAUS KS AF SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: TRANSITION OF KOREAN-LED PRT IN AFGHANISTAN TO NATO/ISAF COMMAND REF: STATE 163516 Classified By: A/POL Brian D. McFeeters. Reasons 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (U) Please see action request at paragraph four. ¶2. (U) On October 2, POL-MIL Chief delivered reftel points regarding transition of Korean-led PRT in Afghanistan to NATO/ISAF command to Kim Jeong-seop, Director of International Policy Team, Ministry of National Defense. Identical non-paper and sample letter were delivered simultaneously to North America Division (NAD) I, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. NAD I also undertook to share Washington's message with NAD III. ¶3. (C) Director Kim shared that he anticipates minimal problems with the ROK's interest in becoming a "Non-NATO Troop Contributor" (NNTC) as requested, but pointed out that he would need to verify whether this change in command relation is consistent with the content of the current bill approved by the National Assembly concerning the dispatch of ROK personnel to Afghanistan. Kim and LtC Lee Won-seok of JCS expressed concern with possible changes in command relations, mission and location. ¶4. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Director Kim requests that the U.S. Government verify that ISAF would not be able to give orders to the ROK troops directly, possibly altering the current ROK troop location and mission. ¶5. (SBU) Director Kim extended his appreciation for the sample letter. STANTON