VZCZCXYZ0013
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUL #2251 3260756
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 210756Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2406

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 002251 
 
SIPDIS 
 
PLEASE PASS TO WHA/CEN NICARAGUA DESK FOR ALBERT KRAAIMOORE. 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2018 
TAGS: PGOV PREL KS NU
SUBJECT: NICARAGUA POLITICAL SITUATION OF CONCERN TO ROKG 
 
REF: STATE 122262 
 
Classified By: POL M/C Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4(b/d) 
 
¶1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel talking points on reported 
irregularities in the November 9 Nicaraguan municipal 
elections to ROK Mininstry of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
Central America and Caribbean Division Director Lee Eun-chul 
on November 21.  Director Lee said that the Korean Embassy in 
Managua had reported violent clashes between the Nicaraguan 
Sandinista Liberation Front (FSLN) and opposition.  These 
developments were of concern to Seoul as 500 Korean nationals 
live in Nicaragua and 20 Korean companies have a presence 
there. 
 
¶2. (C) Regarding the allegations of election irregularities, 
Director Lee commented that Organization of American States 
(OAS) observers were normally present for elections in the 
region.  The ROK, in fact, had played an observer role at the 
request of the OAS during elections in Ecuador.  Director Lee 
said he would consult with the Korean Embassy in Managua and 
other relevant offices to consider the matter of joining 
others in calling for transparent recounts in the presence of 
credible observers. 
STEPHENS