MOFAT VICE MINISTER REQUESTS NEW ADMINISTRATION'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 000115 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL KS KN SUBJECT: MOFAT VICE MINISTER REQUESTS NEW ADMINISTRATION'S ATTENTION TO FTA AND DPRK Classified By: AMB Kathleen Stephens. Reasons 1.4(b/d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: During a January 21 meeting with the Ambassador, First Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Kwon Jong-rak offered congratulations on President Barack Obama's inauguration and requested continued consultations on the KORUS-FTA as well as on North Korea. He emphasized the importance to the ROKG of an early meeting between the two Presidents, and offered ROKG support for completing the New Embassy Compound. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Kwon Jong-rak told the Ambassador during a January 21 lunch at the residence that his government and the Korean people warmly welcomed the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Saying that the Korean people were interested in the new Administration's attitude toward Korea, Kwon told the Ambassador that a reporter interviewing him about the U.S. inauguration on the morning of January 21 had immediately "assumed frictions" about the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), wondering whether the USG would ask for renegotiation. He had replied that the U.S.-ROK relationship was strong and multi-dimensional, had weathered many difficulties in the past, and that he believed consultations between the USG and ROKG could resolve any FTA issues. Kwon said that even if Washington and Seoul did not see eye-to-eye on the FTA immediately, it would not detract from making progress in the overall U.S.-ROK relationship. The Ambassador agreed with this assessment, emphasizing that U.S. officials were sensitive to ROKG concerns, and that the new administration,s priority in this region would be to strengthen cooperation with our alliance partners. ¶3. (C) Kwon also asked about media reports citing the possibility of the USG sending a special envoy to North Korea early on, adding that some in the ROKG were concerned that such steps could leave the ROK behind, though he personally was not concerned about such an outcome. The Ambassador said the new administration had already made clear its commitment to continuing to build on work within the six-party framework, and to remaining committed to the closest of consultations and cooperation with the ROKG. ¶4. (C) Kwon said that an urgent ROKG issue was arranging an early meeting between Presidents Obama and Lee Myung-bak, mentioning the G-20 meeting in London in early April as the most likely possibility. He said that National Security Advisor Kim Sung-hwan planned to travel to Washington on February 8 to meet counterparts and discuss a leaders' meeting. ¶5. (C) The Ambassador asked for VFM Kwon's assistance in making progress on the New Embassy Compound. Kwon pledged MOFAT's full support, emphasizing the importance of moving quickly to begin construction once a property transfer is effected. ¶6. (C) Comment: A long-time U.S.-hand, VFM Kwon is the number two official in MOFAT, primarily responsible for political issues (a second vice-minister is responsible for management and personnel issues). A career diplomat, Kwon made a smart move opting for an early retirement to work for Lee Myung-bak's presidential campaign. Virtually all pundits place Kwon as FM Yu's most likely successor. STEPHENS