ROKG RESPONSE TO UNGA WALKOUT REDLINES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 001503 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR IO/UNP CHRISTOPHER DEUTSCH AND USUN JENNIFER SIMON E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2019 TAGS: PREL UNGA SUBJECT: ROKG RESPONSE TO UNGA WALKOUT REDLINES Classified By: POL M/C JAMES L. WAYMAN. REASONS 1.4 (B/D) ¶1. (SBU) PolOff delivered reftel demarche on 9/21 to Park Sahng-hoon, Director of United Nations Division of MOFAT,s International Organizations Bureau, calling on the ROKG to support the USG in a possible UNGA walkout and to instruct their missions in New York and their delegations for UNGA accordingly. Although unable to state the ROKG,s position, Park promised to deliver the UNGA walkout redlines to the ROK Foreign Minister, who is in NYC, and related ministries. ¶2. (C) At a separate lunch meeting, DCM discussed the USG,s approach with Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Young-joon. Lee was supportive of USG efforts and specifically inquired whether or not the Japanese government was approached on this issue. Lee explained that ROK businesses, noting extensive Japanese investment in Iran, believe they are being left behind and regularly pressure MOFAT to increase ties with Iran. Accordingly, said Lee, the Japanese position on the issue would be key to Seoul in formulating its own view. STEPHENS