FORMER FM SONG DECLARES NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 000574

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2018
TAGS: PROG PREL KS PINR
SUBJECT: FORMER FM SONG DECLARES NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
CANDIDACY FOR UDP


Classified By: Amb. Alexander Vershbow. Reasons 1.4 (b/d)


1. (C) In a March 21 telcon with the Ambassador, former
Foreign Minister Song Min-soon said that he was running for a
proportional seat for the National Assembly on the United
Democratic Party (UDP) ticket. Song expressed concern that
certain candidates within the UDP might pull the party toward
extreme positions on foreign policy, and in particular
against the U.S.-ROK Alliance. Song had decided to join the
UDP in order to "fight" against such extremism and pull the
party toward the "middle ground." Song said he had made the
decision after consulting with some of his former colleagues
at MOFAT, who urged him to run. Strengthening the ROK-U.S.
Alliance and fostering bipartisanship on foreign policy would
be his main agenda.


2. (C) Song said he had considered running on the GNP ticket,
but had ultimately chosen in favor of the UDP because the
opposition party needed more help in "moving to the middle"
and would give him "more room to play." In addition, Song
mentioned his previous experience working with current UDP
Chairman Sohn Hak-kyu when Song served as a diplomatic
advisor to the then-Gyeonggi Province governor. The leaders
within the UDP understood his firm resolve to strengthen the
Alliance, Song said.


3. (C) COMMENT: If Song secures one of the top slots in the
UDP slate, he will win a seat. His entrance into the race has
been perceived as a UDP countermove to former Defense
Minister Kim Jang-soo's proportional representative candidacy
for the GNP. As Foreign Minister, Song had considerable
presence in the Cabinet and plenty of positive exposure
because he was viewed as a voice of reason in the way of
President Roh's more extreme policies toward North Korea.
Song will be a plus for the UDP. END COMMENT.
VERSHBOW