ROKG AGREES TO HOST INTER-AGENCY PSI OPERATIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 000615 SIPDIS SIPDIS ISN/CPI FOR JOHN KROFT OSD/ISP FOR IAN JEFFERSON E.O. 12958: DECL: AFTER KOREAN REUNIFICATION TAGS: PREL PARM MNUC KNNP JP KN KS SUBJECT: ROKG AGREES TO HOST INTER-AGENCY PSI OPERATIONAL EXPERTS VISIT MAR 8 REF: STATE 26187 Classified By: POL M/C JOSEPH Y. YUN. REASONS 1.4 (B, D). ¶1. (C) As requested reftle, on February 21, we proposed a March 8 interagency meeting between the U.S. Proliferation Security Initiative Operational Experts delegation and their Korean counterparts. Deputy Director Park Chul-min of the Disarmament and Nonproliferation Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT),informed poloff on February 24 that MOFAT would host a meeting on March 8 with representatives from MOFAT, the Ministry of National Defense, and relevant intelligence and law enforcement agencies. Park requested that we provide copies of briefing materials in advance so that the ROK officials could better prepare for the discussions. He also requested more details on the discussion format, i.e., whether each delegation member would make a separate presentation. In addition, Park stressed the need for both sides to keep the meeting low-profile in consideration of sensitivities in inter-Korean relations; he specifically emphasized that press coverages should be avoided. ¶2. (C) Park did not commit to an informal meeting between Dr. David Cooper, head of delegation, and relevant officials on the proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and the ROK regarding CWC Challenge Inspections. He asked that we clarify whether Cooper planned to discuss general issues pertinent to the CWC MOU or specific sections of the draft MOU. This was necessary for preparing Cooper's Korean interlocutors, as the lead action officer on the issue, Deputy Director Lee Dong-hwi, departed recently for an onward assignment. ¶3. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Please provide appropriate responses to Deputy Director Park's inquiries. VERSHBOW