ROK REGISTERS NO OBJECTION TO POTENTIAL REFUGEE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 003600 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2016 TAGS: PREF PREL PGOV KS KN CB SUBJECT: ROK REGISTERS NO OBJECTION TO POTENTIAL REFUGEE PROCESSING IN CAMBODIA REF: STATE 174223 Classified By: POL M/C Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b),(d). ¶1. (C) On October 18, poloff conveyed reftel points on USG interest in processing North Korean asylum seekers on a case-by-case basis in Cambodia to Park Ji-hyun, Deputy Director of MOFAT's Inter-Korean Policy Division. Poloff said the USG sought confirmation that the ROKG would assist with background checks, if cases arose in Cambodia, of North Koreans seeking processing for U.S. resettlement. Park expressed appreciation for the advance USG notification and undertook to seek further guidance before delivering an official response. ¶2. (C) In an October 20 conversation with poloff, Park verified that ROKG policy remained that Seoul had no objection to USG resettlement of North Korean asylum seekers in third countries, including Cambodia, in accordance with their expression of free will. The ROKG would continue to provide background vetting information to the USG on a case-by-case basis. Park also requested to be informed about the Cambodian government's response to a USG request for cooperation. VERSHBOW