MEDIA REACTION Q TRILATERAL MEETING IN SEOUL

UNCLAS TOKYO 006106 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR, EAP/J, EAP/P, PM; USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI; SECDEF FOR OASD/PA; CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION Q TRILATERAL MEETING IN SEOUL CONCERNING NORTH KOREA - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: All six Friday morning papers front-paged the trilateral meeting held Thursday in Seoul among Secretary of State Rice, Japanese Foreign Minister Aso SIPDIS and Korean Foreign Minister Ban. The papers also front- paged Chinese State Councilor TangQs meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, also held Thursday in Pyongyang. ¶1. "What Punitive Measures Will South Korea Take Toward North Korea?" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (10/20): "Aside from China, South Korea should play an important role in ensuring that Resolution 1718, adopted by the UN Security Council (UNSC),is effective in stopping North Korea's nuclear armament. This is a matter of serious concern for Japan, which is threatened by the North's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. At their trilateral meeting Thursday in Seoul, Secretary of State Rice, Japanese Foreign Minister Aso SIPDIS and South Korean Foreign Minister Ban decided not to approve of North Korea's nuclear armament, while agreeing to effective enforcement of the UNSC resolution calling for sanctions.... Should China's diplomatic bid to persuade North Korea to return to the six-party talks fail, prompting the North to conduct a second nuclear test, the UNSC would have to adopt much stricter sanctions against the North. There will be no other way but to strengthen the enforcement of a 'net of sanctions' around the North to prevent the North Koreans from resorting to nuclear adventurism. Both the US and Japan should work harder to get China and South Korea to strengthen punitive measures against the North." ¶2. "Japan, US and South Korea Should Regain Solidarity to Deal with North Korea" An editorial in the business- oriented Nihon Keizai commented (10/20): "Diplomatic moves are afoot among countries concerned to deal with North Korea, which conducted a nuclear test last week. Chinese State Councilor Tang visited Pyongyang and handed a message from Chinese President Hu over to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il during their meeting. In Seoul, Secretary of State Rice had a trilateral meeting with SIPDIS Japanese Foreign Minister Aso and South Korean Foreign Minister Ban. At the meeting, they confirmed the need for the three countries to work together toward the enforcement of Resolution 1718 in a bid to call on the North to abandon its nuclear program. It is important for Japan, the US and South Korea to join hands first and then work closely with China to deal with North Korea. In this regard, the outcome of the trilateral in Seoul was a step forward, but the ultimate goal is to realize the North's abandonment of its nuclear program. These nations cannot make an incomplete compromise with North Korea that would result in the recognition of the North as a nuclear power." SCHIEFFER