IS ANOTHER "NO GUN RI" CONTROVERSY ON THE HORIZON?

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 001657 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2039 TAGS: PREL KN KS SUBJECT: IS ANOTHER "NO GUN RI" CONTROVERSY ON THE HORIZON? Classified By: POL M/C JAMES L. WAYMAN. REASONS 1.4 (B/D) Summary and Comment -------------- ¶1. (C) Summary: MOFAT ROK-U.S. Security Cooperation Division Deputy Director Park Joon-byoung told us October 14 that Korea's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has investigated and confirmed eight Korean War incidents in which U.S. military aircraft killed ROK civilians. Recalling the 2000 controversy over the alleged killing of civilians at No Gun Ri, Park warned that these incidents have the potential to become highly controversial. Unlike No Gun Ri, however, there is a "basic understanding" within the ROKG that the air strikes in question occurred during the early days of the war and that civilians were killed unintentionally. According to Park, the ROKG will likely establish an interagency task force to investigate and ask for bilateral negotiations with the USG, if necessary. Comment: The allegations contained in the TRC report do not appear to be as inflammatory as those associated with No Gun Ri, and the Lee Myung-bak Administration will work to keep passions under control. Charges of American killings of Korean civilians are an emotive issue here, however, and there may be elements within Korean society that will attempt to exploit the TRC report. End summary and comment. Is Another No Gun Ri Incident on the Horizon? -------------- ¶2. (SBU) MOFAT ROK-U.S. Security Cooperation Division Deputy Director Park Joon-byoung has warned us that another No Gun Ri controversy may be on the horizon. Park explained that Korea's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) had investigated and confirmed eight Korean War incidents in which U.S. military aircraft killed civilians (reftel); the TRC's findings have been sent to the ROK Ministry of National Defense (MND). The TRC will be examining another 12 Korean War incidents involving U.S. military aircraft before its mandate expires in April 2010. Park emphasized that incidents involving the U.S. military represented a small fraction, approximately seven percent, of the TRC's numerous petitions alleging mass civilian killings by foreign forces during the Korean War. ¶3. (C) Referring to the eight cases sent to MND, Park underscored that the TRC's evidence shows U.S. forces were trying to defend or assist ROK forces when civilians were killed. According to Park, there is a "basic understanding" within the ROKG that the air strikes in question unintentionally killed civilians -- as opposed to the premeditated killing of civilians, including children, that was alleged at No Gun Ri. Way Forward -------------- ¶4. (C) Park asserted that the Blue House is considering addressing the issue of Korean War-era civilian casualties under the auspices of a broad domestic reconciliation effort; however, this option would be contingent on the contents of the TRC's final report and public opinion. According to Park, the ROKG will likely deal with the U.S. military-related portions of the TRC's final report, likely to be issued in February/March 2010, with the same approach used during the No Gun Ri controversy: establish an interagency task force and ask for bilateral negotiations with the USG, if necessary. ¶5. (C) In a separate discussion, TRC investigators Kim Geoo-hyeon and Kim Eung-hak told us that, surprisingly, most of the victims' families still have a positive view of the U.S. military. The investigators said the families would likely be content with a sincere, timely and public investigation and a symbolic gesture by the ROKG and/or the USG to acknowledge the victims. STEPHENS