KSLV ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUEST DELIVERED (C)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 001162

SIPDIS

EAP/K - JHEIBER
ISN/MTR -MKENNEDY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2034
TAGS: TSPA MCTRE PARM PREL MCAP KS
SUBJECT: KSLV ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUEST DELIVERED (C)

REF: STATE 75594

Classified By: Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs,
Gregory S. Burton. Reasons: 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (C) EMin delivered reftel request for additional
information to Yoo, Guk-hee, Director of the Space
Development Division of the Ministry of Education, Science
and Technology, and Lee Hyo-hee, Deputy Director of the Big
Science Policy Division of the same ministry. After
reviewing the context and requested information, Yoo said
that answering the detailed questions would require
consultations with the Korean Aerospace Research Institute
(KARI) and that he would get back to us with answers as soon
as possible.


2. (C) Regarding the launch delay of the KSLV, Yoo noted the
U.S. request to send observers and said that the appropriate
ROKG officials were determining the best location for
observation of the event. He also confirmed our earlier
understanding that a test firing of a model of the booster
engine was to take place in Russia on July 27. If the test
is successful, then the ROKG will be able to move forward to
reschedule the launch.
STEPHENS