[Norway]: Message for South Korea

[Zak]

ENCRYPTED

"Dear Moon Jae-in,

On behalf of the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, we have come across a deal that you have potentially sold the Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship to Poland, we would like to request that this vessel not be sold on alongside the Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyer, not only to protect the interests of the Royal Norwegian Navy but also to protect the integrity of your navy and the assets itself as we don't want these vessels flooding the market which then causes a national security risk because other nations know about said technology.

Regards,
Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen
Minister of Defence."

Jay

 

[Jay]

To: Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen < Zak > CC: ParkKyungjil@mond.navy.gov, NamYoungsook@mofa.kr.gov

From: MoonJaein@cheongwadae.gov

Subject: RE: Naval Sales

Security: Private and encrypted Protected by the NIS and MoFA DPB

Dear Minister Strøm-Erichsen,

Hello Minister.

With regards to your request to postpone the sale of either ships, while we continue to pursue a security and export policy based on the view point of our government. The bilateral relationship between Norway and Korea is based on mutual recognition of each other's concerns. If the Kingdom of Norway as both a partner to Korea but also a fellow member of the Nordic Council. If Norway has specific entities it has concerns about obtaining Korean weapons in Europe, or even globally, Korea would be happy to review these cases and act according to the deliberation of our government.

At this stage, we do not have any formal restrictions on either the Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship or the Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyer on any country excluding those that trade, supply, or have strong informal or formal relations with North Korea. However, in consideration of your concerns, considering the 20 nations in the global assembly, and two non-global assembly; only 18% of navies maintain a Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship in their arsenal. Neither do we intend to arm the global

As of right now, currently three navies excluding the Republic of Korea operate the Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship. Additionally, of those three, all three are nations on friendly terms and relations with the Republic of Korea. As per the basis of mutual engagement and the outlined framework agreement of cooperation, coordination, and friendship between the Nordic Council signatory states & Korea the basis for arms sales is largely done in the periphery of the ROK's engagement and multilateral engagement program.

Signed with sincerity,
Director of National Security
Moon Jaein

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Republic of Korea
Blue House
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