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