ROKG DEMARCHED ABOUT INTELLIGENCE LEAKS

S E C R E T SEOUL 000216 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2019 TAGS: PINS PREL KS KN JA SUBJECT: ROKG DEMARCHED ABOUT INTELLIGENCE LEAKS REF: SECSTATE 11328 Classified By: DCM Bill Stanton for reasons 1.4 (a,b,c,d). ¶1. (S/NF) On February 9, the DCM delivered reftel demarche to Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Yong-joon, conveying strong USG concern about recent ROKG leaks of intelligence drawn from satellite imagery of the North Korean missile program, especially because this was not the first time the ROKG had divulged classified U.S. information. The DCM emphasized that any leaks in Japan did not justify leaks in the ROK. ¶2. (S/NF) Lee, who had not had the chance to compare the Japanese and Korean newspaper articles in which the leaks had occurred, said the USG's expression of concern was warranted and necessary. Expressing his suspicion that the leak had originated within the Ministry of National Defense, Lee asked if the USG had also conveyed its concerns to other ROKG agencies. The DCM said we had, adding that the ROKG should adopt the USG's response to press questions regarding intelligence, which remained, "We don't comment on such matters." Lee reiterated that he fully understood USG concerns and that he appreciated receiving the strong demarche because it would be useful to MOFAT in getting the message out to other ROKG agencies. Lee also promised to inform the DCM of steps taken to address this issue. STEPHENS