S/CRS AMBASSADOR HERBST'S CONSULTATIONS IN SEOUL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 001448

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR S/CRS, EAP/K

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2017
TAGS: PREL KCRS KS
SUBJECT: S/CRS AMBASSADOR HERBST'S CONSULTATIONS IN SEOUL


Classified By: Deputy Econ Chief Mike Spangler for Reasons 1.4 (B&D).

SUMMARY
--------------

1. (SBU) The U.S. and ROKG held a second round of
consultations on reconstruction and stabilization (R&S)
issues on April 26. The U.S. delegation led by Coordinator
for Reconstruction and Stabilization (S/CRS) John Herbst
obtained Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) Vice
Minister Cho Jung-pyo's commitment to continued talks on
potential R&S cooperation in post-conflict situations. Cho
also indicated the ROKG is willing to participate in possible
quadrilateral meetings that might include Japan , the U.S.,
and the PRC, or trilaterals with Japan and the U.S.. End
Summary.

Vice Minister Cho
--------------

2. (C) In an initial call on MOFAT Vice Minister Cho, Amb.
Herbst outlined the S/CRS mission to lead and coordinate U.S.
civilian capability to prevent and prepare for post-conflict
situations and thanked Cho for the ROKG's participation in
consultations on R&S issues. Noting Japan and the PRC were
also being consulted on potential R&S cooperation, Herbst
proposed including the ROKG, Japan, and the PRC in future
quadrilateral meetings, if all parties agreed. Cho described
the R&S mission as "noble work" and committed to intensify
discussions and information exchange on potential R&S
cooperation. Cho also indicated ROKG willingness to
participate in future R&S meetings that might include Japan
and the PRC. Cho stressed that these quadrilaterals, if
realized, should be devoted to identifying general R&S
capabilities, with an eye on future cooperation, but not
specific cases that might warrant cooperation among the
parties. Such decisions would have to be made by the ROKG
on a case-by-case basis, Cho said. When the Ambassador noted
possible GoJ concern about R&S cooperation with the PRC, Cho
also noted ROKG willingness to work in a trilateral format
with the U.S. and Japan.

U.S.- ROKG Consultations
--------------

3. (SBU) The second round of U.S.-ROKG consultations on R&S
issues was co-chaired by Amb. Herbst and MOFAT Deputy
Minister for Policy Planning and Internatinal Organizations
Park In-kook. The Korean side included representatives from
MOFAT, the National Fire and Emergency Management Agency
(NFEMA),and the Korean International Cooperation Agency
(KOICA).. (Participant list in para 9.)


4. (SBU) MOFAT described in detail ROKG capabilities to
respond to both natural disasters and R&S situations.
Highlighting the need for rapid decision making and
flexibility in such situations, Deputy Minister Park noted
the National Assembly had recently adopted the Overseas
Emergency Relief (OER) law that will go into effect in
October 2007. This law provides a legal framework for the
systematic implementation of ROKG responses to disasters,
both natural and man-made, during temporary periods of up to
45 days. MOFAT's Development Cooperation Division is
formally tasked with disaster response, including training,
equipment, coordination and mobilization. To carry out its
mission, the Division's budget has grown from USD 4 million
in 2006 to USD 10 million in 2007. At present, Deputy
Minister Park noted the ROKG is able to move human resources
to disasters in less than 24 hours, and shipped construction
materials to Jakarta within 24 hours of the massive
earthquake that occurred there in May 2006.


5. (SBU) Ambassador Herbst described the S/CRS mission and
plans to institutionalize USG civilian capacity to help
stabilize and reconstruct states in transition from conflict
to peace. He also highlighted S/CRS efforts to recruit a
civilian R&S corps under the effective control of the
Secretary of State. This corps will be comprised, inter

SIPDIS
alia, of engineers, law enforcement officials, health
officials, economists, and public administrators to recreate
the basic functions of government in post-conflict
situations. The S/CRS team provided materials on S/CRS work
to date and welcomed ROKG comment and critique by follow-up
e-mail.


6. (C) The ROKG delegation reviewed the experience of the
ROKG Regional Reconstruction Team currently stationed in
Erbil, Iraq. Ambassador Herbst thanked the ROKG for its work
there and in Afghanistan -- and noted the new OER law would
provide the ROKG statutory basis to undertake additional R&S
efforts. In a later aside, Deputy Minister Park told Amb.
Herbst that the ROKG is giving serious consideration to what
its future presence will be in Iraq and Afghanistan, because
the National Assembly troop authorization is unlikely to be
renewed by the end of 2007.

Quadrilateral Talks
--------------

7. (C) During a working lunch, Deputy Minister Park was
optimistic that the PRC would show interest in possible
quadrilateral R&S consultations with the U.S., Japan, and the
ROKG. Park also suggested S/CRS meet with the OECD's
Development Assistance Committee to identify additional R&S
partners.

NFEMA Visit
--------------

8. (SBU) In a separate meeting, the S/CRS delegation
visited the Seoul office of the National Fire and Emergency
Management Agency (NFEMA). Administered by the Ministry for
Government and Home Affairs, the Seoul office responds to
more than 9,000 emergency calls per day. Approximately 120
officials in three shifts provide 24-hour coverage with
simultaneous translation in 16 languages. Before this
centralized situation room was created in 2002, all (civil
incident/non-criminal) calls were routed to different fire
stations throughout the city. The center provides the
opportunity for traveling foreigners to pre-register any
special medical conditions and needs before arriving in
Korea, thereby permitting swifter and more effective
responses in cases of medical emergency.


9. (U) Participants:

ROKG
Ambassador Park In-kook, Deputy Minister for Policy Planning
and International Organizations, MOFAT
Lee Yong-soo, Director of Development and Cooperation
Division, MOFAT
Do Bong-kae, Deputy Director of Development and Cooperation
Division, MOFAT
Park Sung-il, North America Division III, MOFAT
Shim Pyoung-kang, Director of U-119 Team, NFEMA
Roh, hyun-joon, Chief, Disaster Relief and Reconstruction Team

U.S.
Ambassador John Herbst, Coordinator for Reconstruction and
Stabilization
Scott Rolston, S/CRS Planning Officer
COL William Lee, S/SRS Senior Military Advisor
Mike Spangler, A/Econ Chief, Embassy Seoul
Megan Bartholomew, Econ Officer, Embassy Seoul
Shawn Duncan, Political Officer, Embassy Seoul


10. S/CRS cleared this cable.
VERSHBOW