Cablegate: Rok, U.S. Priorities in Sync for March Un Human

VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUL #0323 0560922
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 250922Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7217
INFO RUCNKOR/KOREA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 0140
RUACAAA/COMUSKOREA INTEL SEOUL KOR PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 2058
RHMFIUU/COMUSKOREA J5 SEOUL KOR PRIORITY
RHMFISS/COMUSFK SEOUL KOR PRIORITY
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY

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

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