ROKG DETAILS POST-LAUNCH RESPONSE SEQUENCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 000534 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2019 TAGS: PREL KS KN SUBJECT: ROKG DETAILS POST-LAUNCH RESPONSE SEQUENCE REF: STATE 29932 Classified By: POL M/C Joseph Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. SUMMARY (C) ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) North Korean Nuclear Affairs Bureau Director General Hwang Joon-kook briefed POL M/C April 2 on the sequence of events that Seoul would follow immediately after North Korea's TD-2 launch. The Blue House would first announce the launch upon confirmation that it had taken place and call a meeting of senior officials chaired by President Lee Myung-bak. After the meeting, Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan would make a statement on behalf of the ROKG and take questions from the press. Following this, FM Yu would telephone Secretary Clinton. Separately, perhaps later the same day, a MOFAT spokesperson would announce Seoul's full participation in the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). End Summary. -------------- Elements of FM Yu's Statement -------------- ¶2. (C) In a April 2 meeting with POL M/C, MOFAT North Korean Nuclear Affairs DG Hwang Joon-kook said that the ROK was in full agreement with the reftel points. On Seoul's part, Hwang outlined the following: -- Immediately upon confirmation of a TD-2 launch, the Blue House would convene a national security meeting chaired by President Lee. There would be a simple press announcement that the Blue House meeting participants would discuss the TD-2 launch. -- Upon concluding the Blue House meeting, Foreign Minister Yu would make a public statement on behalf of the ROKG. -- FM Yu's statement would consist of the following elements: the launch of a "long-range rocket" had taken place and the ROKG was consulting closely with the U.S. to confirm further details and relevant data; the launch was a violation of UNSCR 1718 and a provocative act that would have a serious negative impact on regional stability; the ROKG had serious concerns that the DPRK had ignored warnings of the international community and proceeded with the launch; and, the ROKG would take measures to strengthen its preparedness in consultation with the UN, U.S., and others. -- The ROKG was undecided on whether to include in the statement language urging the DPRK to cease further provocations and respond positively to efforts to resume inter-Korean dialogue. -- In a separate statement, perhaps on the same day, the ROKG was likely to announce its full participation in the Proliferation Security Initiative. ¶3. (C) FM Yu would speak for the entire ROKG, Hwang said. There would be no statement from the Ministry of National Defense. While there would be no reference to the Six-Party process in FM Yu's statement, ROKG officials would continue to make it clear that Seoul was fully behind resumption of the Six-Party Talks. -------------- You Say "Missile", I Say "Rocket" -------------- ¶4. (C) The decision to use the term "rocket" rather than "missile" was made because the latter connoted a weapon in Korean, DG Hwang explained. If it turned out in fact to be a satellite, this would create complications as "missile" -- as rendered in Korean -- would be the wrong term. During the question and answer session following the statement, FM Yu would emphasize that regardless of the nomenclature, the technology employed in the launch was the same as that used to develop missiles. Noting that in English it referred simply to a delivery system, Hwang said the ROKG had no objections to USG use of the term "missile." -------------- Where Will FM Yu Be? -------------- ¶5. (C) FM Yu was scheduled to return to Seoul from the G-20 at 10 a.m. April 4 Seoul time, said DG Hwang. If necessary, he might make his statement from the airport. STEPHENS