Cablegate: Response Blue Lantern: Post-Shipment End-Use Check On

VZCZCXYZ0004
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUL #3536 3480631
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 140631Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7748
INFO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 6137
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEPINS/HQ BICE INTEL WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SEOUL 003536

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR PM/DTCC-BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AU ETTC KOMC KS
SUBJECT: RESPONSE BLUE LANTERN: POST-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK ON
LICENSE 05-050020811

REF: A) STATE 160862

1. Per reftel, post contacted Korean Air and the Korea Civil
Aviation Safety Authority (KCASA) by phone and e-mail. Korean Air
confirmed that the company received a set of T-36M
Communication/Navigation equipment in January 2007 under license
05-050020811 from U.S. exporter Tel-Instrument Electronics
Corporation. The company said it delivered the item to KCASA on
January 30, 2007. KCASA also confirmed the receipt of the item,
which was imported on its behalf by KCASA for use in inspection and
navigation aircraft.

2. Since 2004, Korean Air, Korea's largest air carrier, was
designated to deal with the repair and maintenance of the Challenger
601, a special-use aircraft owned by KCASA for in-flight inspection
of Korea's national air carriers. Korean Air's main line of
business is domestic and international air services for passengers
and cargo. Korean Air Maintenance Planning Department Deputy
General Manager Kim Ki-soon explained that Korean Air's role in the
Challenger 601 program is to import aircraft repair parts on behalf
of KCASA and to repair and maintain aircraft used in KCASA's
inspection flights. Kim stated that Korean Air is well aware of the
provisions of the restrictions against the unauthorized re-export or
retransfer of U.S.-origin defense articles.

3. KCASA, located in Seoul, near Gimpo Airport and the headquarters
of Korean Air, was established in 2002 and is a government agency
under the Ministry of Construction and Transportation. Its main
responsibility is to oversee civil aviation safety and security.
KCASA Flight Inspection Center Assistant Deputy Director LEE,
Jung-won informed post that in 2004, KCASA contracted with Korean
Air for maintenance and repair of KCASA-owned aircraft. The
imported item was used for repair and maintenance of KCASA aircraft
to conduct flight inspection and navigation.
VERSHBOW

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