DEMARCHE DELIVERED: IRANIAN PROCUREMENT OF

S E C R E T SEOUL 003993

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2056
TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC IR
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: IRANIAN PROCUREMENT OF
POTASSIUM BIFLOURIDE FROM YOLIN TECH

REF: STATE 187236

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


1. (S) On November 17 poloff delivered reftel points to Kim,
Jae-Woo of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(MOFAT)'s Disarmament and Nonproliferation Division. Kim
said this was the first he had heard of the May 2006 incident
and could not confirm the accuracy of the press reports. He
agreed that the charges of document falsification against
Yolin Tech seemed quite serious. However, he emphasized that
MOFAT could not offer any guarantees about prosecution as the
Prosecutor's Office held sole responsibility and would
strongly resent outside interference. Kim was also unaware
that President Bush had signed into law the inclusion of
North Korea into the Iran, North Korea, and Syria
Nonproliferation Act. Kim said he would research the issue
and consult with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and
Energy (MOCIE) to determine the current status of the case
against Yolin Tech. He promised to provide a response
afterwards.
VERSHBOW