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