JAPAN-ROK AGREE ON STRONGER DPRK MEASURES DURING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 005941

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2016
TAGS: PREL PARM PGOV JA KS KN
SUBJECT: JAPAN-ROK AGREE ON STRONGER DPRK MEASURES DURING
PM ABE'S SEOUL VISIT


Classified By: Ambassador J.Thomas Schieffer. Reasons 1.4 (B) (D)


1. (C) Summary. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's October
9 visit to Seoul was "quite successful," with summit talks
proceeding in a "cool-headed" fashion. According to Japanese
foreign ministry officials, the leaders reconfirmed basic
values shared by the two nations, and PM Abe invited ROK
President Roh to visit Japan. Roh told Abe that the October
9 DPRK nuclear test had been a serious violation of the 1992
Joint Declaration of the Denuclearization of the Korean
Peninsula. Roh confessed that South Korea had placed too
much emphasis on dialogue rather then pressure, but now
realized the need for strong action against the DPRK in
cooperation with Japan. End summary.

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Leaders Build Trust
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2. (C) MOFA Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau NE Asia
Division Deputy Director Yo Takaba characterized Japanese
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's October 9 visit to Seoul as
"quite successful." Takaba told Embassy Tokyo Political
Officer October 11 that PM Abe attended a lunch given by ROK
Prime Minister Myon-sung Han (in which Han's husband and
Abe's wife participated),held a nearly two-hour summit
meeting with President Roh, and was feted, along with Mrs.
Abe, at a dinner hosted by President and Mrs. Roh. Both
leaders appeared anxious to build a personal relationship of
mutual trust, Takaba said.


3. (C) The summit proceeded in "cool-headed" fashion, Takaba
noted, with Abe and Roh expressing recognition that the
Japan-ROK relationship was important for both the region and
the international community. During the discussion, the two
men reconfirmed basic values shared by the two countries:
freedom, democracy, human rights, and the free market
economy. Abe invited the President to visit Japan but
offered no specific date. Roh responded that he would choose
the appropriate time for the trip.

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Bilateral Issues
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4. (C) According to Takaba, the leaders' summit, which took
place immediately after the DPRK announced that it had
conducted a nuclear test, focused on three bilateral issues
and North Korea.

-- The Past: Roh told his interlocutor that, in order for
Japan-ROK relations to proceed, "Japan should face its past."
Abe responded that he understood the feelings of the South
Korean people and offered his regrets. The PM expressed his
intention to build a "future-oriented" relationship based on
mutual understanding and trust.

-- Yasukuni: Abe maintained his basic position of not
indicating whether he would or would not visit the shrine.
Japan and the ROK should overcome their political problems
and make an effort to promote sound relations, the Prime
Minister told Roh.

-- Scientific research: Abe and Roh welcomed the compromise
on prior notification regarding radioactive research being
conducted in disputed areas of the Sea of Japan that vice
ministerial-level officials reached in mid-September 2006.

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North Korea

TOKYO 00005941 002 OF 002


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5. (C) In a discussion that took up "almost half the time,"
Takaba said President Roh told Prime Minister Abe that the
DPRK test had been a serious violation of the 1992 Joint
Declaration of the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Roh confessed that South Korea had been placing emphasis on
dialogue rather then pressure, but now realized the need for
strong action against the DPRK in cooperation with Japan.
Abe responded that coordination between Japan, ROK, and the
U.S. would be extremely important in order to achieve an
early resumption of the Six-Party Talks.


6. (C) In reviewing the DPRK's nuclear test, Takaba said, Abe
and Roh agreed that:

a) If a North Korean nuclear test were to be confirmed, it
would constitute a "grave threat" to the region that should
never be accepted;

b) The international community should not accept the North's
behavior and ought to consider further strict measures in
response;

c) Japan and the ROK need to stand together and take an
immediate, firm response; and

d) Japan and South Korea should strengthen their policy
coordination for the prompt adoption of a UNSCR that includes
strict measures.


7. (C) Turning to the issue of DPRK abductions, Abe said that
Japan wanted to improve cooperation with South Korea to
settle the issue. Roh replied that the ROK had already been
cooperating with Japan and would continue to do so.
SCHIEFFER