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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 
 
TOKYO 00000421  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
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 
 
TOKYO 00000421  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
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