ROKG DEMARCHES CHINESE EMBASSY ON ASAT TEST

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