ROKG REQUESTS USG SUPPORT FOR RE-ELECTION TO HUMAN

UNCLAS SEOUL 000878 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KS PHUM PREL UNGA SUBJECT: ROKG REQUESTS USG SUPPORT FOR RE-ELECTION TO HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL REF: A. 2007 SEOUL 2042 ¶B. 2007 SEOUL 2735 ¶C. 2007 SEOUL 3022 ¶D. 2007 SEOUL 3326 ¶E. 2008 SEOUL 561 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade has written to the Secretary of State to request that the USG support the ROKG's re-election to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for the 2008-2011 term at the UN General Assembly in May (see text below). Recommendation: Post supports the request, noting the ROKG's willingness to use it membership on the HRC to call attention to North Korean human rights issues, as well as its conscientious attention to other global human rights issues, and noting that the ROKG has recently supported USG candidates for UN positions (reftels). END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) Begin text of FM Yu's letter to Secretary Rice: April 12, 2008 Excellency: I have the honour to refer to the candidature of the Republic of Korea for re-election to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2008-2011 period, the elections for which will be held during the 62nd UN General Assembly Session in May 2008. Over the last six decades, the Republic of Korea has constantly endeavoured to firmly establish its international standing as a thriving democracy as well as a human rights advocate. It is fully committed to contributing to the promotion and protection of human rights. In particular, as a first-term Human Rights Council member, the Republic of Korea has played a constructive role in establishing the institutional basis for the Council. It hopes to continue to participate in the enhancement of human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as in the development of the Council. In this regard, it would be highly appreciated if your esteemed government could render its valuable support for the candidature of the Republic of Korea to the Human Rights Council. Accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. Yu, Myung-hwan Her Excellency Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State, United States of America, Washington, D.C. End text of letter. ¶3. (SBU) Begin text of April 25, 2008 Diplomatic Note: OIG - 122 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and has the honour to inform the latter that the Republic of Korea is standing for re-election to the UN Human Rights Council for the term 2008-2011 at the elections to be held during the 62nd Session of the UN General Assembly in May 2008. The Ministry takes this opportunity to enclose a copy of the letter from His Excellency, Yu, Myung-hwan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea addressed to Her Excellency, Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State of the United States of America, seeking support for the candidature of the Republic of Korea to the Human Rights Council. The Government of the Republic of Korea would highly appreciate the valuable support of the Government of the United States of America for the candidature of the ROK to the Human Rights Council. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. April 25, 2008 MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE SEOUL, KOREA End text of Diplomatic Note. VERSHBOW