ROK SENDS LETTER TO NATO SIGNALING INTENT TO JOIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 001786 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2019 TAGS: PREL PTER MARR MOPS NATOF AF KS SUBJECT: ROK SENDS LETTER TO NATO SIGNALING INTENT TO JOIN ISAF REF: STATE 115253 Classified By: DCM MARK A. TOKOLA. REASONS 1.4 (b),(d). ¶1. (C) PolMil Chief delivered reftel points to Republic of Korea (ROK) Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) ROK-US Security Cooperation Director Hyoung-chan Choe on November 9, 2009. Choe stated that Foreign Minister Yu sent a letter on November 6 to NATO Secretary General Rasmussen requesting ROK participation in International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) under NATO command in Afghanistan. Choe noted that in his letter to NATO SYG Rasmussen FM Yu expressed the desire of the ROKG to lead a PRT in Parwan Province, where the ROK Medical and Vocational Training Team is currently operating. The text of letter follows in para ¶3. ¶2. (C) Choe said the ROK Afghan PRT Survey Team will depart Seoul on November 11 and arrive in Kabul on November 12. The ROKG has requested USG assistance for the Survey Team to arrange meetings in Kabul, Bagram, Parwan and Bamyan. A detailed itinerary follows in para 4. The ROK Afghan PRT Survey Team will be led by ROK SRAP Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Yong-joon. A complete delegation list follows in para 5. ¶3. (C) Begin Text of Letter dated 6 November 2009 from FM Yu to NATO SYG Rasmussen: Dear Secretary General Rasmussen: It is my great pleasure to inform you that the Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) would like to become an official troop contributor to the International Security Assistance Force under NATO command in Afghanistan. The ROK Government plans to establish a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) consisting of approximately 50-70 civilians, 30-50 police officers and 200-400 infantry troops. The forces assigned to the Korean PRT are intended to provide protection for the PRT and security escorts for the PRT's governance and development-related activities outside of the PRT premises, and are nor intended for patrol or other security missions in Afghanistan. While we understand that the specific location of our PRT is subject to consultations with NATO-ISAF, the ROK Government wishes to lead a PRT in Parwan Province, where its Medical and Vocational Training Team is already present. The exact numbers of civilians, police officers and infantry troops allocated to the PRT will be decided after the location of the PRT is discussed and agreed between the ROK Government and NATO command. The military component of our PRT will be deployed in accordance with our domestic constitutional procedure for obtaining the consent of the National Assembly. The Government of the Republic of Korea would like to request NATO and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) to complete the required procedure at the earliest possible date and provide assistance in the process. With highest personal regards, I remain. Sincerely yours, Yu Myung-hwan End Text of letter. ¶4. (C) ROK Afghanistan PRT Survey Team Itinerary: Wednesday, 11 November 2009 -------------- 0850 Depart Incheon via OZ369 1140 Arrive Guangzhou 1730 Depart Guangzhou via CZ359 2045 Arrive Delhi Thursday, 12 November -------------- 0710 Depart Delhi via IC843 0810 Arrive Kabul --Meetings with ISAF/USFOR-A --Meetings with Afghan Government Friday, 13 November -------------- --Meetings with ISAF/USFOR-A Saturday, 14 November -------------- --Meetings with Afghan Government Sunday, 15 November -------------- --Visit Bagram Airbase (US transport assistance needed) --Meetings with CJTF-82 Leadership --Meetings with Parwan Provincial Government Officials at Bagram (US assistance is needed) --Visit potential PRT sites in Parwan (US transport assistance is needed) --Lodging at Bagram Airbase (US lodging assistance is needed) Monday, 16 November -------------- --Visit to PRT in Bamyan (US transport assistance is needed, only a few select from the survey team will make the visit) --Move to Kabul (US transport assistance is needed) Tuesday, 17 November -------------- 0905 Depart Kabul via IC844 1205 Arrive Delhi Wednesday, 18 November -------------- 0210 Depart Delhi via OZ 768 1220 Arrive Incheon ¶5. (C) ROK PRT Survey Team List (as received from ROK MOFAT): -- Lee, Yong-Joon: Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs and Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT); --Choi, Jong-Moon: Director General for South Asia and Pacific Affairs and Afghanistan Task Force Team Leader, MOFAT; --Choi, Hee-Deok: First Secretary, Afghanistan Task Force, MOFAT; --Lee, Sung-Hwan: First Secretary, ROK-US Security Cooperation Division and Afghanistan Task Force, MOFAT; --Moon, Sung-Hwan: First Secretary, Overseas Korean Nationals Protection and Crisis Management Division, MOFAT; --Kim, Hyoung-Tae: Director, Development Cooperation Division; --Heo, In-Seon: Second Secretary, Afghanistan Task Force, MOFAT; --MajGen Chung, Yeon-Bong: Director, International Policy Office, Ministry of National Defense (MND); --COL Yoo, Jae-Eui: Director, International Peacekeeping Operations Division, MND; --Lee, Dong-Seok: Director, Korean Army Military Plans Division, MND; --LTC Park, Seong-Yong: Director, Foreign Deployment Division, Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS); --LTC Chang, Gwi-Seong: Director, Air Strategy Division, JCS; --Oh, Kyeong-Hwan: Director, Counterterrorism Division, National Intelligence Service (NIS); --Park, Ki-Seon: Director, Foreign Plans Division, Korean National Police (KNP); --Park, Seong-Soo: Director, Counterterrorism Center, KNP. STEPHENS