(C) KOREAN AMBASSADOR IN KYRGYZSTAN FAVORS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001092 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (GORKOWSKI) E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KS KG SUBJECT: (C) KOREAN AMBASSADOR IN KYRGYZSTAN FAVORS CHRISTIAN PROSELYTIZING MISSION BISHKEK 00001092 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Amb. Tatiana Gfoeller, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In an October 16 courtesy call on the Ambassador, the new South Korean ambassador to Kyrgyzstan outlined his two objectives: 1) protecting Korea's Christian missionaries in Kyrgyzstan, and 2) promoting Korean economic investment. Ambassador Kim said he viewed Ambassador Ha-Joong Kim, the current Korean Minister for Reunification and former ambassador to China, who strongly supported missionary activities in China, as his model for his work in Kyrgyzstan. He reported that Korean missionaries, who target ethnic Kyrgyz in Kyrgyzstan, are encountering difficulties with officials. Ambassador Kim also characterized the sizeable Korean investment activity in Kyrgyzstan as cover for Christian proselytizing work. END SUMMARY. Friends in High Places -------------- ¶2. (C) In an October 16 courtesy call on the Ambassador, Ambassador Byong-Ho Kim, South Korea's first Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, identified the two main objectives of his work in Kyrgyzstan: 1) protecting Korea's Christian missionaries in Kyrgyzstan, and 2) promoting economic investments, which he claimed religious Koreans use as a vehicle for their proselytizing. ¶3. (C) After reflecting on his own Christian beliefs, Kim described his need to protect and help Korean missionaries. In this context, he cited the influence of evangelical Christian views within the Korean government and claimed that he had a "mandate from the President" to do this (despite opposition from some vocal Buddhists and Confucianists, angered by the rapidly Christianizing nature of their country). Ambassador Kim identified his friend, Ha-Joong Kim, as his model for a proselytizing Ambassador. According to Byon-Ho Kim, Ha-Joong Kim, the current Korean Minister for Reunification and former Korean Ambassador to China, frequently visited Chinese underground churches but never exposed them to retaliation from the Chinese authorities because "the Holy Spirit Himself told him which churches to visit and when." Ha-Joong Kim also reportedly has the ability to heal by laying on hands. In one case, Byong-Ho Kim said his friend healed in this way the Chinese Ambassador to Japan, a prominent member of the Communist Party, who had returned to Beijing because of illness. After that, the Communist official made sure that Korean underground churches were not bothered. Ha-Joong Kim has now set his sights on North Korea, and hopes that he will receive divine inspiration on how to help spread the Christian Gospel there and eventually unify the countries. Korean Missionaries in Kyrgyzstan -------------- ¶4. (C) Ambassador Kim said that Korean missionaries are flooding into Kyrgyzstan. Some come here directly, he noted, and some come here seeking more fertile ground after being persecuted in China. Korean missionaries target ethnic Kyrgyz, rather than the local Russian community, to avoid antagonizing the Russian Orthodox Church and because they feel more cultural affinity with the Kyrgyz. Ambassador Kim claimed that numerous Korean missionaries have complained to him about problems with visa renewals and harassment by Kyrgyz authorities. Ambassador Kim also expressed concerns about the Kyrgyz draft law on religions, which would restrict missionary activity. The Ambassador replied that the United States shares his concerns, and supports religious freedom in Kyrgyzstan. Investment in Kyrgyzstan: Money is Not Enough -------------- - BISHKEK 00001092 002.2 OF 002 ¶5. (C) Ambassador Kim said promoting Korean investment in Kyrgyzstan is his second priority, particularly as it relates to the first priority. Kim explained that Korean entrepreneurs often come to Kyrgyzstan with the two-fold objective of making money and proselytizing, with the business financing and providing cover for the religious work. Kim cited the owner of a construction company, who also happens to be a retired Korean pop idol, as an example. The businessman is developing a luxury apartment complex in Bishkek, and has set aside several apartments for government members to forestall the inevitable demands for a cut. The businessman, Ambassador Kim noted, hopes that Kyrgyz officials will consequently ignore his proselytizing. Kim lamented the pervasive government corruption that makes such preemptive corruption necessary, and noted that money alone is not a sufficient reason to invest in Kyrgyzstan. Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) Ambassador Kim's agenda may coincide with concerns we have about religious freedom in Kyrgyzstan. However, his strong support for proselytizing may antagonize Kyrgyz officials concerned about radical reactions to missionary activities, particularly in the Fergana Valley. While Ambassador Kim may ascribe Korean investment activity to religious goals, South Koreans invested $17.3 million in Kyrgyzstan during the first six months of 2008, making South Korean the third largest source for investment so far this year. GFOELLER