TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - INTER-KOREAN SUMMIT

UNCLAS TOKYO 004639 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: TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - INTER-KOREAN SUMMIT LEAD STORIES: Most Wednesday dailies led with Citigroup's announcement that it plans to buy the outstanding shares of its Japanese brokerage arm Nikko Cordial via a "triangular merger" by the end of January. ¶1. "ROK Should Extract Denuclearization Pledge from DPRK" The liberal Asahi editorialized (10/3): "...It is desirable not only for the two Koreas but also for their neighbors that Seoul and Pyongyang confirm reconciliation and cooperation and look for peace and stability during their summit. Although there are many challenges ahead, we hope that the leaders of North and South Korea will have fruitful talks.... The joint declaration issued at the inter-Korean summit of 2000 produced tangible results that helped increase interchange between the two peoples. However, it did not do anything to build trust between the two nations in terms of security or to achieve peace on the peninsula. President Roh has said that he will work to realize concrete progress on peace and economic growth. He should not avoid military issues. It will be difficult to bring about peace on the Korean Peninsula only through the efforts of Koreans; understanding and support from the international community are indispensable. North Korea's nuclear program deeply affects other countries, and peace on the Korean Peninsula will not be possible until this issue is resolved. President Roh should extract a promise from Kim Jong Il to abandon his nuclear ambitions." ¶2. "Inter-Korean Summit Should Present Roadmap for Denuclearization" The business-oriented Nikkei stated in an editorial (10/3): "ROK President Roh entered the DPRK by crossing the DMZ overland to demonstrate the improved relationship between North and South Korea. DPRK leader Kim Jong Il, meanwhile, came to greet and shake hands with Roh without prior notice. Although the two sides appear to have staged a 'friendly atmosphere' in order to play up the significance of the first inter- Korean summit in seven years, it is important for them to draw up a roadmap for North Korea's complete denuclearization in order to realize peace on the Korean Peninsula.... Although Roh wants the summit to go smoothly and is thus hesitant to make denuclearization a major focus of discussions, we hope that the meeting will lead to progress on the issue." DONOVAN