ROKG SHARES CONCERNS ON RUSSIA-BURMA NUCLEAR DEAL

S E C R E T SEOUL 001739 SIPDIS SIPDIS PLEASE PASS TO ISN, EAP, EUP AND T E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/2017 TAGS: PREL KNNP KGIC RS BM SUBJECT: ROKG SHARES CONCERNS ON RUSSIA-BURMA NUCLEAR DEAL REF: STATE 72586 Classified By: A/POL Brian McFeeters. Reasons 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (S) On June 1, poloff discussed USG views on the inadvisability of Russian-Burmese nuclear cooperation to MOFAT's Disarmament and Nonproliferation Director Park Chul-min. Park responded that Seoul shared USG concerns about potential nuclear proliferation consequences. However, the ROKG would need time to determine whether it should approach Russia with its concerns. ¶2. (S) On June 5, poloff followed-up with MOFAT's Disarmament and Nonproliferation Acting Director Ham Sangwook who indicated that the ROKG was reluctant to approach Russia on this issue. Ham added that, as a general policy, the ROKG was concerned about nuclear proliferation and recently become a partner nation of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, which is co-chaired by the United States and Russia. STANTON