Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SEOUL169
2007-01-19 08:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
ROKG DEMARCHES CHINESE EMBASSY ON ASAT TEST
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHUL #0169 0190817 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 190817Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2429 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 1897 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 8341 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0909 RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 2135 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 1995 RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 000169
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2016
TAGS: KS MARR MNUC PARM PREL CH
SUBJECT: ROKG DEMARCHES CHINESE EMBASSY ON ASAT TEST
REF: A. SEOUL 114
B. SECSTATE 4836
C. SECSTATE 4837
Classified By: A/DCM Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b,d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 000169
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2016
TAGS: KS MARR MNUC PARM PREL CH
SUBJECT: ROKG DEMARCHES CHINESE EMBASSY ON ASAT TEST
REF: A. SEOUL 114
B. SECSTATE 4836
C. SECSTATE 4837
Classified By: A/DCM Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b,d).
1. (U) This is an Action Request. Please see para 4.
2. (C) On January 19, Park Chul-min, Director of Disarmament
and Non-Proliferation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(MOFAT) provided poloff with the ROKG response to the
Ambassador's January 14 demarche regarding China's
anti-satellite (ASAT) test (reftel A). On January 18, MOFAT
Director General of the Bureau of International Organizations
Song Young-wan demarched Liu Shao Bin, Minister-Counselor and
Deputy Chief of Mission of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul.
According to Director Park, DG Song told Liu that the ROKG
was "shocked" to have heard news of a Chinese ASAT test
through various channels. DG Song requested confirmation
from the Chinese about whether the test had been conducted,
and if the reports were true, what exactly happened. DG Song
pointed out that China's ASAT test, if true, was inconsistent
with the ROKG's perception of China as a leader in efforts in
the Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS). He also
told Liu that the ROKG is "very worried" about the risk that
space debris from an ASAT test poses to current and future
ROK satellites in orbit. DG Song also stressed to Liu the
ROKG's concern that China had not followed international
norms on prior consultation and notice of space activities
that could cause significant negative effects on others'
space activities.
3. (C) Liu's response was that he was unaware of a Chinese
ASAT test. Liu told DG Song that he would report the ROKG's
concerns to Beijing and provide a response as soon as it was
available. Liu also told DG Song that China's role in PAROS
would not change and that China remained committed to
continued peaceful activities in outer space.
4. (C) Action Request: Director Park requested that the
United States share as soon as available any additional
technical information about the specific satellite shot down
and the type of missile used. Post requests that Department
advise what, if any, technical information can be shared with
the ROKG. End Action Request.
STANTON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2016
TAGS: KS MARR MNUC PARM PREL CH
SUBJECT: ROKG DEMARCHES CHINESE EMBASSY ON ASAT TEST
REF: A. SEOUL 114
B. SECSTATE 4836
C. SECSTATE 4837
Classified By: A/DCM Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b,d).
1. (U) This is an Action Request. Please see para 4.
2. (C) On January 19, Park Chul-min, Director of Disarmament
and Non-Proliferation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(MOFAT) provided poloff with the ROKG response to the
Ambassador's January 14 demarche regarding China's
anti-satellite (ASAT) test (reftel A). On January 18, MOFAT
Director General of the Bureau of International Organizations
Song Young-wan demarched Liu Shao Bin, Minister-Counselor and
Deputy Chief of Mission of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul.
According to Director Park, DG Song told Liu that the ROKG
was "shocked" to have heard news of a Chinese ASAT test
through various channels. DG Song requested confirmation
from the Chinese about whether the test had been conducted,
and if the reports were true, what exactly happened. DG Song
pointed out that China's ASAT test, if true, was inconsistent
with the ROKG's perception of China as a leader in efforts in
the Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS). He also
told Liu that the ROKG is "very worried" about the risk that
space debris from an ASAT test poses to current and future
ROK satellites in orbit. DG Song also stressed to Liu the
ROKG's concern that China had not followed international
norms on prior consultation and notice of space activities
that could cause significant negative effects on others'
space activities.
3. (C) Liu's response was that he was unaware of a Chinese
ASAT test. Liu told DG Song that he would report the ROKG's
concerns to Beijing and provide a response as soon as it was
available. Liu also told DG Song that China's role in PAROS
would not change and that China remained committed to
continued peaceful activities in outer space.
4. (C) Action Request: Director Park requested that the
United States share as soon as available any additional
technical information about the specific satellite shot down
and the type of missile used. Post requests that Department
advise what, if any, technical information can be shared with
the ROKG. End Action Request.
STANTON