DEMARCHE ON MINISTERIAL DELEGATIONS TO WASHINGTON

UNCLAS SEOUL 003119 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR OES FOR WIREC ACTION GROUP AND SPECIAL ASST CHILL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV TRGY ENRG KSCA KS SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON MINISTERIAL DELEGATIONS TO WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY CONFERENCE (WIREC 2008) REF: SECSTATE 138428 ¶1. ESTH Chief met October 12 with Kim Chan-woo, Senior Coordinator for Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, to follow up on reftel demarche, which had been passed to him earlier. ¶2. Kim said that Korea usually decides on the composition of its delegations to international events quite close to the event, so he did not anticipate being able to provide specific information this far in advance. He noted that the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE) will have the lead on WIREC for Korea, and predicted that the delegation head would be a representative of that Ministry. Kim noted that it was unlikely that Korea would be represented at the ministerial level due to the timing of WIREC, coming just one week after the new Korean administration will be inaugurated. Given the requirement that ministerial nominees face a hearing in the Assembly, it is unlikely that all Cabinet positions will be filled immediately. ¶3. Post recommends that invitations be sent to the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE),the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT),and the Minister of Environment (MOE),inviting participation by the Minister or his designee. VERSHBOW