ROK EMBASSY APPLAUDS ASO; FEARS FOR U.S.-JAPAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000421

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2019
TAGS: PREL ECON PGOV ETRD JA KA
SUBJECT: ROK EMBASSY APPLAUDS ASO; FEARS FOR U.S.-JAPAN
RELATIONS UNDER DPJ

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Classified By: Charge James P. Zumwalt, reasons 1.4(b),(d).


1. (C) Summary: PM Aso has worked hard to improve relations
with Korea, and his efforts are widely appreciated in Seoul,
ROK Embassy Minister Kim told the Charge in a meeting on
February 24. Aso and ROK President Lee have worked well
together to defuse potentially explosive historical issues
and are focused on a future-oriented partnership. Examples
of Aso's action-oriented approach are his direct intercession
in arrangements for the annual celebration of "Takeshima Day"
in Shimane Prefecture and his hosting of the first
Japan-ROK-China Summit in November 2008. He has been less
successful in pushing through with a bilateral FTA.


2. (C) Summary (cont'd): Kim told the Charge that he and
other ROK Embassy officials have expressed concern to
opposition DPJ lawmakers over the anti-U.S. rhetoric coming
from party leaders. Their DPJ contacts have assured them
that there is no reason for concern. Kim indicated that his
government has no particular concerns over the future of
Japan-ROK ties under a DPJ-led administration, but is
definitely worried about a negative impact on Japan's
alliance relationship with the U.S. The Charge told Kim
Secretary Clinton had met with Ozawa and the DPJ leadership
during her Tokyo visit and received assurances the DPJ
regards the U.S.-Japan Alliance as key to Japan's security.
Kim said little about current Korean thinking on the DPRK,
but noted that Seoul was very pleased with Secretary
Clinton's remarks during her recent visit. End Summary.

Japan-ROK Relations "Better Under Aso"
--------------


3. (C) Prime Minister Taro Aso has worked hard to improve
ties with South Korea, and appears genuinely committed to
managing this important bilateral relationship, ROK Embassy
Minister Kim Young-sun told the Charge on February 24. Aso
has a real interest in Korea, Kim noted, due, at least in
part, to his upbringing in Kyushu. More importantly, he and
ROK President Lee Myung-bak share similar views about the
importance of the relationship, and have established good
personal relations. Both, he noted, are "pragmatic business
types." ROK-Japan relations were at a low point just before
Aso came into office, Kim recounted, when Japan approved use
of the geographic designation "Takeshima" in high school
textbooks back in summer 2008. Since then, both governments
have worked hard to repair and improve relations, he stated,
and the direction is being set at the top.


4. (C) Aso has also impressed Kim and other Korean officials
by taking concrete actions to strengthen the relationship.
He cited Aso's leadership in helping to neutralize the impact
of last week's "Takeshima Day" celebrations in Shimane
Prefecture as a good example. In the days leading up to the
event, Aso restricted the participation of certain ranking
Diet members. His action helped to tamp down public
sentiment and allowed Korean officials to avoid making public
comments. The coordination between the two governments
worked because both sides agreed that it was "not worth
making a big deal over." As another example, Kim noted that
just one day before his lunch with the Charge, he had
participated in a larger meeting with Aso to discuss the
progress of a future-oriented Japan-ROK study group organized
with the assistance of Keio Professor Masao Okonogi. Aso's
hosting of the first Japan-ROK-China Summit in Fukuoka in
November 2008 was another good example of his willingness to
value action over mere words.

Historical Issues, Trade Remain Problematic
--------------


5. (C) The year 2010 will mark the 100th anniversary of
Japan's annexation of Korea, Kim noted, and the diplomatic
skills of the two leaders will be put to the test in managing
this extremely sensitive commemoration. Stalled talks over
a Japan-ROK Free Trade Agreement also require additional
attention, he stated. Describing the current status of talks
as "consultations" rather than true "negotiations," Kim
blamed Japan's lack of a central authority to force the
various ministries to synchronize their efforts, lamenting
that "they are eager to move on the portions that will give

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them some benefit, but not on issues such as agriculture or
fisheries.

U.S.-Japan Relations Could Deteriorate Under DPJ
-------------- ---


6. (C) Korea is worried about the prospects for U.S.-Japan
relations under a government led by the opposition Democratic
Party of Japan (DPJ),which is widely expected to take power
in the next Lower House election, Kim said. In meetings with
DPJ Diet members, his Embassy officers have expressed concern
over statements that criticize the United States, or question
the alliance, particularly on issues such as the Status of
Forces Agreement and Host Nation Support. The response of
the Korean Embassy's DPJ contacts echoes what U.S. Embassy
officers have heard: "Don't worry about Ozawa. This is just
campaign rhetoric." Kim noted that his Embassy has been
steadily increasing contacts with the DPJ, although not
directly with Ozawa. He indicated no particular concerns
over the future of Japan-ROK ties under a DPJ-led
administration. The Charge told Kim Secretary Clinton had
met with Ozawa and the DPJ leadership during her Tokyo visit
and received assurances the DPJ regards the U.S.-Japan
Alliance as key to Japan's security.

No Information on DPRK, but Positive on Clinton
-------------- --


7. (C) Kim expressed interest in U.S. thinking on DPRK leader
Kim Chong-il and succession issues. He was very cagey about
providing his own views, other than to note that Seoul was
very pleased with the recent visit of Secretary Clinton, and
appreciated her strong rhetoric.

Bio Notes
--------------


8. (C) Kim told the Charge that he would be leaving Tokyo in
March for Seoul. He said his new job has yet to be
announced, although separately we have heard he will serve as
MOFAT spokesman. Kim speaks relatively good English, having
served in Washington, but even better Japanese. He described
his replacement, Lee Hyuck, as a seasoned MOFAT Asia hand,
with two prior tours in Tokyo and at least one in Beijing.
Mr. Lee also studied at Keio University, where he was a
student of Professor Okonogi.
ZUMWALT