ROK, U.S. PRIORITIES IN SYNC FOR MARCH UN HUMAN

UNCLAS SEOUL 000323 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR IO/HR GAYATRI PATEL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM PINR KN KS UN SUBJECT: ROK, U.S. PRIORITIES IN SYNC FOR MARCH UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL SESSION REF: STATE 16236 Sensitive but unclassified. Not for Internet distribution. ¶1. (SBU) We delivered reftel demarche on February 26 to MOFAT Human Rights and Social Affairs Division Director Cho Tae-ick seeking ROK support for U.S. priorities at the March UN Human Rights Council (HRC) session. Cho, who will be in Geneva for part of the session, said he would pass reftel information ASAP to the ROK UN Missions in New York and Geneva. ¶2. (SBU) Director Cho said the ROK was pleased to hear that the United States put a high priority on renewing, and preventing the weakening of, the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur for North Korean Human Rights. Cho said he and his colleagues looked forward to seeing U.S. Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues Bob King in Geneva. Cho related that the ROK planned to speak "candidly" about human rights conditions in Burma and North Korea, in particular calling for the non-refoulement by China or other countries of DPRK refugees. Addressing another U.S. priority for the HRC, Cho said the ROK would likely abstain again on anything related to the Goldstone Report. ¶3. (SBU) Cho said Deputy Foreign Minister Cho Hyun would deliver remarks on March 3 in Geneva; he asked for an advance copy of Under Secretary Otero's speech, if possible, so that DFM Cho's comments are as "coordinated as possible" with the USG. TOKOLA