Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SEOUL379
2008-02-26 09:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:  

ROK RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE: ADVANCING THE U.S.

Tags:  PGOV PREL EU CU KS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUL #0379 0570903
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 260903Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8653
C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 000379

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL EU CU KS
SUBJECT: ROK RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE: ADVANCING THE U.S.
POSITION FOR CHANGE IN CUBA

REF: STATE 18306

Classified By: POL M/C Joseph Y. Yun, reasons 1.4 (b,d).

(C) As requested by reftel, POL M/C urged Han Byung-kil,
Director General, Latin American and Caribbean Affairs
Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT),to
consider the Republic of Korea (ROK) government use its
influence with Cuba to promote a peaceful process of
democratic change. When asked if there was any change in its
policy towards Cuba in the wake of a new Raul Castro regime,
DG Han said that at this stage, there was no willingness
within the Ministry to develop a new relationship with Cuba.
DG Han said that there could be an opportunity for future ROK
engagement on this issue given that newly nominated Foreign
Minister Yu Myung-hwan has keen interest in Latin American
affairs. DG Han pointed to Foreign Minister Yu's experience
while he was Director General of American Affairs in 1997 and
as the principal driver behind the subsequent creation of a
Latin American Affairs Bureau within the Ministry. Han also
said Minister Yu traveled to Cuba in 1997 with Daewoo
business executives to advance South Korea's trade interests
there with limited success. Han also shared that while South
Korea only maintains a small trade liaison office in Havana,
the ministry does hope to eventually open a consulate to
service the nearly 4,000 Koreans who visit Cuba annually.
Nevertheless, Han said, any change in ROK policy toward Cuba
would be coordinated closely with Washington, as before.
(Note: Han said he will be leaving his position soon,
probably in March.)
VERSHBOW