NICARAGUA POLITICAL SITUATION OF CONCERN TO ROKG

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 002251 SIPDIS PLEASE PASS TO WHA/CEN NICARAGUA DESK FOR ALBERT KRAAIMOORE. E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL KS NU SUBJECT: NICARAGUA POLITICAL SITUATION OF CONCERN TO ROKG REF: STATE 122262 Classified By: POL M/C Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4(b/d) ¶1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel talking points on reported irregularities in the November 9 Nicaraguan municipal elections to ROK Mininstry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Central America and Caribbean Division Director Lee Eun-chul on November 21. Director Lee said that the Korean Embassy in Managua had reported violent clashes between the Nicaraguan Sandinista Liberation Front (FSLN) and opposition. These developments were of concern to Seoul as 500 Korean nationals live in Nicaragua and 20 Korean companies have a presence there. ¶2. (C) Regarding the allegations of election irregularities, Director Lee commented that Organization of American States (OAS) observers were normally present for elections in the region. The ROK, in fact, had played an observer role at the request of the OAS during elections in Ecuador. Director Lee said he would consult with the Korean Embassy in Managua and other relevant offices to consider the matter of joining others in calling for transparent recounts in the presence of credible observers. STEPHENS