UNCLASSIFIED Us Department of State Casewh g mmg l Doc No 005992084 Date 03 28 2017 1 RELEASE IN PART DOC f Tiff 5 er diagrams Cowman I we I YREPORT REVIEW AUTHORITY Charles Lahiguera Senior Reviewer 0 The public North Korean announcement on September 24 that it would suspend missile launches during the course of our diplomatic efforts reinforces the sense that the North understands the signi cant price it would have to pay for a launch One of the key factors in securing DPRK commitments not to launch a missile at present was the prospect of punitive measures against it not just by the US but also by the ROK and Japan This collective intent to punish North Korea raised the prospect of signi cant political damage for the DPRK at a time when its dependence on the outside world is growing Therefore we will remain in a strong position to deter the North from launching a missile as long as the US ROK and Japan in league with our other allies and friends in the region remain unified in the determination to impose a stiff political and economic penalty on the North for this potential provocation In terms of diplomatic next steps the US is preparing for a high- level DPRK visit although we do not yet know who will come or when it will occur Ambassador Kartman and Vice Foreign Minister Kim Gye-Gwan will hold meetings before any high-level discussions for planning purposes The hi gh-level visit will be an opportunity to spell out more clearly for the North the progress on security issues that we must see in order to move toward better bilateral relations specifically Classification Extended on 05 28 2017 Class CONFIDENTIAL Authority DSCG 11-1 Declassify on 10 28 2039 UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Doc No 005992084 Date 03 28 2017 UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case gN g -Smg Doc No C05992084 Date 03 28 2017 will make very clear to the North that it will have to deal with our comprehensive security concerns in the arena of Weapons of 1 a mass destruction which extend far beyond the missile launch issue Recognizing the nature of the North Korean regime it will not be easy to improve even our bilateral relations let alone DPRK relations with its neighbors and there are likely to be setbacks along the way 0 But we are committed to trying a positive path with the North as long as we believe we can do so while protecting our core security interests in the region UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State CaseCISGNF-Im hm q ti Doc No 005992084 Date 03128 2017 s1 25xs                     National Security Archive    Suite 701  Gelman Library  The George Washington University    2130 H Street  NW  Washington  D C  20037    Phone  202 994‐7000  Fax  202 994‐7005  nsarchiv@gwu edu