Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SEOUL10
2009-01-02 06:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
PRESS BULLETIN - January 02, 2009
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TREASURY FOR OASIA/WINGLE
USDOC FOR 4430/IEP/OPB/EAP/WGOLICKE
STATE PASS USDA ELECTRONICALLY FOR FAS/ITP
STATE PASS DOL/ILAB SUDHA HALEY
STATE PASS USTR FOR IVES/WEISEL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO PGOV PREL MARR ECON KS US
SUBJECT: PRESS BULLETIN - January 02, 2009
Opinions/Editorials
UNCLAS SEOUL 000010
SIPDIS
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TREASURY FOR OASIA/WINGLE
USDOC FOR 4430/IEP/OPB/EAP/WGOLICKE
STATE PASS USDA ELECTRONICALLY FOR FAS/ITP
STATE PASS DOL/ILAB SUDHA HALEY
STATE PASS USTR FOR IVES/WEISEL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO PGOV PREL MARR ECON KS US
SUBJECT: PRESS BULLETIN - January 02, 2009
Opinions/Editorials
1. "North Korea Returns to the Past with Its Strategy of 'Tongmi
Bongnam'"
(Hankook Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Page 31)
2. Frustrating Editorial
(JoongAng Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Page 34)
3. Let U.S. Congress be an Example to Korean Lawmakers
(Chosun Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Page 31)
Features
4. U.S. Allots Quota For East Asian Refugees
(Chosun Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Page 2)
5. Activists Resume Anti-N.Korea Leaflet Campaign
(Chosun Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Page 8)
6. N. Korea Urges Nuke Dialogue With Obama Government
(Dong-a Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Front Page)
Top Headlines
Chosun Ilbo, All TVs
Ruling and Opposition Parties in Final Negotiations Today
Over Major Contentious Bills, Including Media Law
JoongAng Ilbo
"2009 is the Year for ICK (India, China, Korea)"...
ROK Economy Has Hopes
Dong-a Ilbo
Ruling and Opposition Parties Closer to Shelving FTA
and Media Law
Hankook Ilbo
58%: "Livelihood Is More Difficult Than in the IMF Crisis"
62%: "Economy Will Recover After 2010"
Hankyoreh Shinmun
National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyung-o "Withholds Authority to
Present Bills to the National Assembly until Jan. 8"
Segye Ilbo
Overcoming Crisis Depends on Exports
Seoul Shinmun, All TVs
Pyongyang Urges Seoul to "Implement June 15 Joint Declaration and
October 4 Declaration"
Domestic Developments
1 In a joint editorial by North Korean media, regarded as an
official New Year's message, Pyongyang stressed its efforts to
achieve denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and showed an
eagerness to talk with a new USG over its nuclear program, while
blaming the Lee Myung-bak Administration for its failure to honor
inter-Korean agreements. (All prints and TVs)
2 ROK civic groups resumed sending about 3,000 anti-Pyongyang flyers
to North Korea in a month near the inter-Korean border yesterday.
(JoongAng, Dong-a, Chosun)
3 In a survey of 32 ROK experts, 13 considered it "possible" to move
toward North Korea's nuclear dismantlement within 2009, while 15
people responded that top-level U.S.-North Korea talks are unlikely
in 2009. (Hankyoreh)
International News
1 According to a report on the admission of refugees to the U.S.,
submitted by the Departments of State, Homeland Security, and Health
and Human Services to the Judiciary Committees of Congress, the U.S.
will accept up to 80,000 refugees from around the world, giving
preference to families of North Korean defectors during Fiscal Year
2009. (All prints and TVs)
Media Analysis
North Korea
All newspapers reported on a joint editorial carried by the North
Korean media, which is regarded as Pyongyang's official New Year's
message. In the editorial, Pyongyang stressed its efforts to
achieve denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and claimed
eagerness to discuss its nuclear program with a new US
Administration. Editorialists blamed the Lee Myung-bak
Administration for its failure to honor inter-Korean agreements.
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo headlined its story: "Pyongyang
Describes ROK Authorities as 'Fascists' for the First Time in 14
Years, Heralding a Tough Road Ahead for Inter-Korean Relations."
JoongAng Ilbo also editorialized: "The (North Korean joint)
editorial skipped the usual tirades against the U.S. and its
presence in the ROK, suggesting that Pyongyang believes it can build
better Washington-Pyongyang ties with the incoming Obama
Administration." Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized: "It is
regrettable that, in the joint editorial, North Korea made clear its
intention to pursue the strategy of 'Tongmi Bongnam,' under which
the North engages with the U.S. while sidelining the ROK. However,
that the North restrained itself from criticizing the U.S. and
mentioned the achievement of denuclearization in the Korean
Peninsula and peace and security in Northeast Asia seem to be a
positive message toward the incoming Obama Administration."
All newspapers carried reports onthe joint Departments of State,
Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services agreement on
refugees recently submitted to the Judiciary Committees of Congress.
According to the report, the U.S. will accept up to 80,000 refugees
from around the world and give preference to families of North
Korean defectors during Fiscal Year 2009.
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun asked 32 experts about the security
outlook of the Korean Peninsula. A majority speculated that in
2009, the U.S. and North Korea will have strengthened relations,
while inter-Korean relations will remain deadlocked.
Middle East
Conservative Chosun Ilbo reported that Israel is using bunker-buster
missiles, which it received recently from the U.S., in strikes
against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. The report also cited
speculation in the Arab world that Palestine's moderate Fatah
faction and Israel are colluding to "blight" Hamas. Conservative
Dong-a Ilbo reported that a high-ranking Hamas figure, who has led
suicide terrorism against Israel, was killed in an Israeli air
strike and that French President Sarkozy will visit the Middle East
on January 5 to mediate peace in the region. Meanwhile, moderate
Hankook Ilbo carried reports that Israel rejected the international
community's proposal for a ceasefire while Hamas accepted it on the
condition that Israel will stop its attack.
On a different note, JoongAng Ilbo reported that Obama is emerging
as the biggest variable in a series of elections slated for this
year in Middle Eastern countries, since he is advocating a different
Middle East policy from that of the Bush Administration.
Opinions/Editorials
"North Korea Returns to the Past with Its Strategy of 'Tongmi
Bongnam'"
(Hankook Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Page 31)
"It is regrettable that, in the joint editorial, North Korea made
clear its intention to pursue the strategy of 'Tongmi Bongnam,'
under which the North engages with the U.S. while sidelining the
ROK. However, it seems to be a positive message toward the incoming
Obama Administration that the North restrained itself from
criticizing the U.S. and mentioned desire to achieve
denuclearization in the Korean Peninsula and peace and security in
Northeast Asia. On the other hand, Pyongyang did not hesitate to
strongly criticize the Lee Myung-bak Administration, urging it to
implement the June 15 Joint Declaration and October 4 Declaration.
It is evident that North Korea's engagement with the U.S. works well
only when it is premised on its engagement with the South. North
Korea's confrontational attitude toward the South is unsettling."
Frustrating Editorial
(JoongAng Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Page 34)
The annual lengthy editorial was published in the North Korean
regime's Rodong Sinmun newspaper yesterday. The publication is the
official newspaper of the military and young party members. The New
Year editorial usually offers some insight in the direction of the
country's policies at home and abroad.
This year's piece made unusually frequent remarks about economic
issues, including the need for self-aided economic growth. It
skipped the usual tirades against the United States and its presence
in South Korea and reaffirmed that it would maintain a hard-line
stance toward the Lee Myung-bak Administration.
The North's stance is more frustrating than ever before.
Yesterday's editorial said Pyongyang will "never tolerate any
elements that deviate" from the principles of the June 15 and Oct. 4
joint declarations made at the two Koreas' summits in 2000 and 2007
with Seoul's two former liberal presidents. This policy means that
the North is unlikely to make any major policy changes, indicating
that Pyongyang still is not ready to deal with the new
administration in Seoul.
Seoul has been adopting an increasingly progressive tone to its
policies on the North over the past few months, slowly focusing more
on dialogue with Pyongyang. But the North is showing no signs of
moving on. It's like a hedgehog with its prickles unfurled, ready
to puncture an approaching hand.
If the latest development is aimed at causing political disruptions
within Korea and weakening the public's unity, as the North did
during the Cold War, it would be fair to call the editorial
anachronistic.
We strongly urge the North to take constructive steps toward
building better inter-Korean ties. Seoul has to make an effort,
too, to resume talks with Pyongyang. Its political slogan
"improvement of inter-Korean relations based on principles" should
be more than just an excuse to justify the lack of policies aimed at
thawing frozen inter-Korean ties.
The usual tirades and hostile remarks toward Washington were
conspicuously absent from yesterday's editorial, suggesting that
Pyongyang believes it can build better Washington-Pyongyang ties
with the incoming Obama Administration.
This is a positive step since Obama has repeatedly stressed the need
for "tough and direct" dialogue with Pyongyang. But such progress
can be made only when the North is willing and determined to unravel
its nuclear issues with Washington in a transparent way that leaves
no questions unanswered.
* This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is
identical to the Korean version.
Let U.S. Congress be an Example to Korean Lawmakers
(Chosun Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Page 31)
January is a busy month for the U.S. Congress. President-elect
Barack Obama will meet on Monday with Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the
House of Representatives, to discuss the passage of a US$1 trillion
economic recovery bill. Pelosi has said she will make sure that the
new president will be able to sign the bill right after he is
inaugurated on Jan. 20. Republican lawmaker and Senate Minority
Leader Mitch McConnell and House Republican Leader John Boehner have
vowed to do everything necessary to save the U.S. economy. They
propose to hold a week-long hearing to reveal the full details of
the bill through public debate. The House of Representatives will
hold a hearing starting next Wednesday, which will be attended by
academics and representatives from the business community.
The Senate, meanwhile, has said it will make sure that confirmation
hearings on Obama's Cabinet appointees in the economic, foreign and
national security areas can be wrapped up before he is inaugurated.
Here in Korea, lawmakers have also vowed to revive the economy and
overcome the obstacles facing their country. Ruling Grand National
Party leader Park Hee-tae said lawmakers must succeed in saving the
economy, which is a pledge the party made to the public in the
presidential and general elections. Main opposition Democratic
Party leader Chung Se-kyun said his party will take the lead in
overcoming the country's obstacles by tapping into its experience in
leadership. But it was empty talk.
For a week now, the DP's lawmakers have locked themselves in the
main hall of the National Assembly to block the passage of major
reform bills. Opposition lawmakers have fastened mountain-climbing
ropes to their hips so they can form a human chain and have brought
mattresses into the main hall where they have been eating and
sleeping. The GNP is in emergency stand-by mode. Ruling and
opposition party representatives agreed Wednesday to continue talks
on deadlocked issues, while the GNP has conceded by postponing
passage of a controversial broadcast reform bill, but the situation
is uncertain. As a result, bills that are crucial to easing the
financial burden on low-income Koreans have yet to be ratified.
They include 15 bills needed to implement the 2009 budget, measures
to limit interest charged by loan sharks, and steps to ease the rent
burden on Koreans without their own homes.
According to a New Year's Gallup Korea poll, 68 percent of
respondents said Koreans had "no hope," while only 30 percent said
they had "some hope left." In contrast, a joint survey by ABC and
the Washington Post showed 63 percent of Americans were optimistic
about 2009. The reason behind the starkly contrasting views can be
explained by the busy schedules of American lawmakers and the
contrasting behavior of Korean Assembly members.
* This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is
identical to the Korean version.
Features
U.S. Allots Quota For East Asian Refugees
(Chosun Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Page 2)
By Reporter Lee Ha-won
The U.S. has agreed to accept 80,000 refugees in 2009. 19,000 of
this quota is to be for refugees from East Asia, including North
Korea, China, Tibet, and Burma. The 100 refugees from the region
seeking to join their families already in the U.S. will have
priority.
According to a report the State Department and the Department of
Homeland Security jointly worked out and submitted to Congress, the
quota for refugees from East Asia for 2009 is 19,000, down 1,000
from 2008. Last year the U.S. accepted 17,000 refugees from Burma
and 1,000 refugees from Vietnam.
How many North Korean refugees will be accepted is not specified,
but they are to come under the Priority-1 Group, where each refugee
will be screened individually, and Priority-3 Group, where refugees
will be given priority in joining family members already in the U.S.
Some 600 refugees will be let in under Category P-1 and 100 under
Category P-3.
The report expresses grave concern about human rights of North
Koreans both in the Stalinist country and in nearby countries like
China. It said the U.S., which has helped North Korean refugees
resettle since 2006, will continue the program.
A total of 75 North Korean refugees have settled in the U.S. Since
the U.S. first accepted a North Korean refugee under the North
Korean Human Rights Act of 2004.
* This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is
identical to the Korean version.
Activists Resume Anti-N.Korea Leaflet Campaign
(Chosun Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Page 8)
By Reporter Seon Jeong-min
Activists resumed sending anti-communist leaflets to North Korea
after a month-long voluntary suspension at the request of the
government and the ruling party. Some 50 members of an association
of 24 conservative civic groups on Thursday gathered in Imjingak
Plaza in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, to attach 3,000 leaflets to one
large balloon and 300 other small balloons to send to North Korea
for an hour at 2:40 p.m.
The leaflets contain criticism of the North Korean regime, comparing
the luxurious life of leader Kim Jong-il with the dire food
shortages elsewhere in the country. . Some nightscape pictures of
Seoul and Pyongyang, and food aid to North Korea, were also
included.
Choi Woo-won, co-leader of the association, said, "The Sunshine
Policy is obviously a failure, since millions of North Koreans have
died of starvation despite several billion tons of food aid by the
South Korean government over the last 10 years. The Unification
Ministry also does not have any right to prevent civic groups
sending leaflets."
Due to a mild breeze, the members could only send 3,000 out of the
30,000 leaflets they prepared. "We will hold a massive rally in
about 10 days," said Choi. The Family Assembly Abducted to North
Korea and the Fighters for a Free North Korea, two groups that
normally lead such campaigns, did not participate in Thursday's
event.
* This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is
identical to the Korean version.
N. Korea Urges Nuke Dialogue With Obama Government (Dong-a Ilbo,
January 2, 2009, Front Page)
By Reporter Shin Seok-ho
North Korea yesterday stepped up its criticism of the South Korean
government and urged the South Korean people to launch
anti-government struggles in a joint newspaper editorial.
The North, however, claimed to be willing to engage in nuclear
disarmament talks with the incoming U.S. administration and
expressed hope for improved relations with the United States.
Under the title "Blowing Horns for a Concerted March, Let's Usher in
a New Year of Revolution," the communist country's three major
newspapers branded the South Korean government and the ruling camp
as "power brokers who have betrayed the nation."
The dailies also called the Seoul government and the ruling party
"anti-unification forces going counter to the time of independent
unification while currying favor with the United States and being
hostile to fellow Koreans."
Pyongyang blamed the Lee Myung-bak Administration for aggravating
inter-Korean relations.
The editorial urged South Korea to implement the two joint
declarations signed by President Lee's two liberal predecessors and
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in the 2000 and 2007 inter-Korean
summits.
The North urged people in the South to intensify their struggle to
"topple the conservative, non-patriotic and fascist regime and
eliminate the risk of war."
This joint editorial is the first by Pyongyang since the 2000
inter-Korean summit to denounce Seoul.
In contrast, the three dailies had friendlier messages for the
United States and neighboring countries. "The validity of our
Republic's independent foreign policy, aimed at the denuclearization
of the Korean Peninsula and securing peace and safety in Northeast
Asia and the world, is increasingly bearing fruit."
Pyongyang mentioned "denuclearization" in its New Year's editorial
for the first time in in 13 years. In 1996, it said it will seek
"sweeping and complete abolition of nuclear weapons."
Yesterday's editorial omitted previous criticism of Washington and
demands for the suspending joint military drills and withdrawing
U.S. troops stationed in the South.
Declaring 2009 as the year of a "new revolution," the communist
country pledged to revive its economy by 2012 under a new economic
initiative similar to the Chollima Movement of the 1950s.
Under Chollima, all North Koreans were mobilized for economic
development.
In its New Year's joint editorial issued last year, Pyongyang
defined 2012 as the year to pave the way for a strong country. 2012
will mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of the country's
founder Kim Il-sung and the 70th birthday of Kim Jong-il.
* This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is
identical to the Korean version.
Stephens
1
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/K, EAP/PD, INR/EAP/K AND INR/IL/P
TREASURY FOR OASIA/WINGLE
USDOC FOR 4430/IEP/OPB/EAP/WGOLICKE
STATE PASS USDA ELECTRONICALLY FOR FAS/ITP
STATE PASS DOL/ILAB SUDHA HALEY
STATE PASS USTR FOR IVES/WEISEL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO PGOV PREL MARR ECON KS US
SUBJECT: PRESS BULLETIN - January 02, 2009
Opinions/Editorials
1. "North Korea Returns to the Past with Its Strategy of 'Tongmi
Bongnam'"
(Hankook Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Page 31)
2. Frustrating Editorial
(JoongAng Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Page 34)
3. Let U.S. Congress be an Example to Korean Lawmakers
(Chosun Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Page 31)
Features
4. U.S. Allots Quota For East Asian Refugees
(Chosun Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Page 2)
5. Activists Resume Anti-N.Korea Leaflet Campaign
(Chosun Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Page 8)
6. N. Korea Urges Nuke Dialogue With Obama Government
(Dong-a Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Front Page)
Top Headlines
Chosun Ilbo, All TVs
Ruling and Opposition Parties in Final Negotiations Today
Over Major Contentious Bills, Including Media Law
JoongAng Ilbo
"2009 is the Year for ICK (India, China, Korea)"...
ROK Economy Has Hopes
Dong-a Ilbo
Ruling and Opposition Parties Closer to Shelving FTA
and Media Law
Hankook Ilbo
58%: "Livelihood Is More Difficult Than in the IMF Crisis"
62%: "Economy Will Recover After 2010"
Hankyoreh Shinmun
National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyung-o "Withholds Authority to
Present Bills to the National Assembly until Jan. 8"
Segye Ilbo
Overcoming Crisis Depends on Exports
Seoul Shinmun, All TVs
Pyongyang Urges Seoul to "Implement June 15 Joint Declaration and
October 4 Declaration"
Domestic Developments
1 In a joint editorial by North Korean media, regarded as an
official New Year's message, Pyongyang stressed its efforts to
achieve denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and showed an
eagerness to talk with a new USG over its nuclear program, while
blaming the Lee Myung-bak Administration for its failure to honor
inter-Korean agreements. (All prints and TVs)
2 ROK civic groups resumed sending about 3,000 anti-Pyongyang flyers
to North Korea in a month near the inter-Korean border yesterday.
(JoongAng, Dong-a, Chosun)
3 In a survey of 32 ROK experts, 13 considered it "possible" to move
toward North Korea's nuclear dismantlement within 2009, while 15
people responded that top-level U.S.-North Korea talks are unlikely
in 2009. (Hankyoreh)
International News
1 According to a report on the admission of refugees to the U.S.,
submitted by the Departments of State, Homeland Security, and Health
and Human Services to the Judiciary Committees of Congress, the U.S.
will accept up to 80,000 refugees from around the world, giving
preference to families of North Korean defectors during Fiscal Year
2009. (All prints and TVs)
Media Analysis
North Korea
All newspapers reported on a joint editorial carried by the North
Korean media, which is regarded as Pyongyang's official New Year's
message. In the editorial, Pyongyang stressed its efforts to
achieve denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and claimed
eagerness to discuss its nuclear program with a new US
Administration. Editorialists blamed the Lee Myung-bak
Administration for its failure to honor inter-Korean agreements.
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo headlined its story: "Pyongyang
Describes ROK Authorities as 'Fascists' for the First Time in 14
Years, Heralding a Tough Road Ahead for Inter-Korean Relations."
JoongAng Ilbo also editorialized: "The (North Korean joint)
editorial skipped the usual tirades against the U.S. and its
presence in the ROK, suggesting that Pyongyang believes it can build
better Washington-Pyongyang ties with the incoming Obama
Administration." Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized: "It is
regrettable that, in the joint editorial, North Korea made clear its
intention to pursue the strategy of 'Tongmi Bongnam,' under which
the North engages with the U.S. while sidelining the ROK. However,
that the North restrained itself from criticizing the U.S. and
mentioned the achievement of denuclearization in the Korean
Peninsula and peace and security in Northeast Asia seem to be a
positive message toward the incoming Obama Administration."
All newspapers carried reports onthe joint Departments of State,
Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services agreement on
refugees recently submitted to the Judiciary Committees of Congress.
According to the report, the U.S. will accept up to 80,000 refugees
from around the world and give preference to families of North
Korean defectors during Fiscal Year 2009.
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun asked 32 experts about the security
outlook of the Korean Peninsula. A majority speculated that in
2009, the U.S. and North Korea will have strengthened relations,
while inter-Korean relations will remain deadlocked.
Middle East
Conservative Chosun Ilbo reported that Israel is using bunker-buster
missiles, which it received recently from the U.S., in strikes
against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. The report also cited
speculation in the Arab world that Palestine's moderate Fatah
faction and Israel are colluding to "blight" Hamas. Conservative
Dong-a Ilbo reported that a high-ranking Hamas figure, who has led
suicide terrorism against Israel, was killed in an Israeli air
strike and that French President Sarkozy will visit the Middle East
on January 5 to mediate peace in the region. Meanwhile, moderate
Hankook Ilbo carried reports that Israel rejected the international
community's proposal for a ceasefire while Hamas accepted it on the
condition that Israel will stop its attack.
On a different note, JoongAng Ilbo reported that Obama is emerging
as the biggest variable in a series of elections slated for this
year in Middle Eastern countries, since he is advocating a different
Middle East policy from that of the Bush Administration.
Opinions/Editorials
"North Korea Returns to the Past with Its Strategy of 'Tongmi
Bongnam'"
(Hankook Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Page 31)
"It is regrettable that, in the joint editorial, North Korea made
clear its intention to pursue the strategy of 'Tongmi Bongnam,'
under which the North engages with the U.S. while sidelining the
ROK. However, it seems to be a positive message toward the incoming
Obama Administration that the North restrained itself from
criticizing the U.S. and mentioned desire to achieve
denuclearization in the Korean Peninsula and peace and security in
Northeast Asia. On the other hand, Pyongyang did not hesitate to
strongly criticize the Lee Myung-bak Administration, urging it to
implement the June 15 Joint Declaration and October 4 Declaration.
It is evident that North Korea's engagement with the U.S. works well
only when it is premised on its engagement with the South. North
Korea's confrontational attitude toward the South is unsettling."
Frustrating Editorial
(JoongAng Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Page 34)
The annual lengthy editorial was published in the North Korean
regime's Rodong Sinmun newspaper yesterday. The publication is the
official newspaper of the military and young party members. The New
Year editorial usually offers some insight in the direction of the
country's policies at home and abroad.
This year's piece made unusually frequent remarks about economic
issues, including the need for self-aided economic growth. It
skipped the usual tirades against the United States and its presence
in South Korea and reaffirmed that it would maintain a hard-line
stance toward the Lee Myung-bak Administration.
The North's stance is more frustrating than ever before.
Yesterday's editorial said Pyongyang will "never tolerate any
elements that deviate" from the principles of the June 15 and Oct. 4
joint declarations made at the two Koreas' summits in 2000 and 2007
with Seoul's two former liberal presidents. This policy means that
the North is unlikely to make any major policy changes, indicating
that Pyongyang still is not ready to deal with the new
administration in Seoul.
Seoul has been adopting an increasingly progressive tone to its
policies on the North over the past few months, slowly focusing more
on dialogue with Pyongyang. But the North is showing no signs of
moving on. It's like a hedgehog with its prickles unfurled, ready
to puncture an approaching hand.
If the latest development is aimed at causing political disruptions
within Korea and weakening the public's unity, as the North did
during the Cold War, it would be fair to call the editorial
anachronistic.
We strongly urge the North to take constructive steps toward
building better inter-Korean ties. Seoul has to make an effort,
too, to resume talks with Pyongyang. Its political slogan
"improvement of inter-Korean relations based on principles" should
be more than just an excuse to justify the lack of policies aimed at
thawing frozen inter-Korean ties.
The usual tirades and hostile remarks toward Washington were
conspicuously absent from yesterday's editorial, suggesting that
Pyongyang believes it can build better Washington-Pyongyang ties
with the incoming Obama Administration.
This is a positive step since Obama has repeatedly stressed the need
for "tough and direct" dialogue with Pyongyang. But such progress
can be made only when the North is willing and determined to unravel
its nuclear issues with Washington in a transparent way that leaves
no questions unanswered.
* This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is
identical to the Korean version.
Let U.S. Congress be an Example to Korean Lawmakers
(Chosun Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Page 31)
January is a busy month for the U.S. Congress. President-elect
Barack Obama will meet on Monday with Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the
House of Representatives, to discuss the passage of a US$1 trillion
economic recovery bill. Pelosi has said she will make sure that the
new president will be able to sign the bill right after he is
inaugurated on Jan. 20. Republican lawmaker and Senate Minority
Leader Mitch McConnell and House Republican Leader John Boehner have
vowed to do everything necessary to save the U.S. economy. They
propose to hold a week-long hearing to reveal the full details of
the bill through public debate. The House of Representatives will
hold a hearing starting next Wednesday, which will be attended by
academics and representatives from the business community.
The Senate, meanwhile, has said it will make sure that confirmation
hearings on Obama's Cabinet appointees in the economic, foreign and
national security areas can be wrapped up before he is inaugurated.
Here in Korea, lawmakers have also vowed to revive the economy and
overcome the obstacles facing their country. Ruling Grand National
Party leader Park Hee-tae said lawmakers must succeed in saving the
economy, which is a pledge the party made to the public in the
presidential and general elections. Main opposition Democratic
Party leader Chung Se-kyun said his party will take the lead in
overcoming the country's obstacles by tapping into its experience in
leadership. But it was empty talk.
For a week now, the DP's lawmakers have locked themselves in the
main hall of the National Assembly to block the passage of major
reform bills. Opposition lawmakers have fastened mountain-climbing
ropes to their hips so they can form a human chain and have brought
mattresses into the main hall where they have been eating and
sleeping. The GNP is in emergency stand-by mode. Ruling and
opposition party representatives agreed Wednesday to continue talks
on deadlocked issues, while the GNP has conceded by postponing
passage of a controversial broadcast reform bill, but the situation
is uncertain. As a result, bills that are crucial to easing the
financial burden on low-income Koreans have yet to be ratified.
They include 15 bills needed to implement the 2009 budget, measures
to limit interest charged by loan sharks, and steps to ease the rent
burden on Koreans without their own homes.
According to a New Year's Gallup Korea poll, 68 percent of
respondents said Koreans had "no hope," while only 30 percent said
they had "some hope left." In contrast, a joint survey by ABC and
the Washington Post showed 63 percent of Americans were optimistic
about 2009. The reason behind the starkly contrasting views can be
explained by the busy schedules of American lawmakers and the
contrasting behavior of Korean Assembly members.
* This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is
identical to the Korean version.
Features
U.S. Allots Quota For East Asian Refugees
(Chosun Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Page 2)
By Reporter Lee Ha-won
The U.S. has agreed to accept 80,000 refugees in 2009. 19,000 of
this quota is to be for refugees from East Asia, including North
Korea, China, Tibet, and Burma. The 100 refugees from the region
seeking to join their families already in the U.S. will have
priority.
According to a report the State Department and the Department of
Homeland Security jointly worked out and submitted to Congress, the
quota for refugees from East Asia for 2009 is 19,000, down 1,000
from 2008. Last year the U.S. accepted 17,000 refugees from Burma
and 1,000 refugees from Vietnam.
How many North Korean refugees will be accepted is not specified,
but they are to come under the Priority-1 Group, where each refugee
will be screened individually, and Priority-3 Group, where refugees
will be given priority in joining family members already in the U.S.
Some 600 refugees will be let in under Category P-1 and 100 under
Category P-3.
The report expresses grave concern about human rights of North
Koreans both in the Stalinist country and in nearby countries like
China. It said the U.S., which has helped North Korean refugees
resettle since 2006, will continue the program.
A total of 75 North Korean refugees have settled in the U.S. Since
the U.S. first accepted a North Korean refugee under the North
Korean Human Rights Act of 2004.
* This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is
identical to the Korean version.
Activists Resume Anti-N.Korea Leaflet Campaign
(Chosun Ilbo, January 2, 2009, Page 8)
By Reporter Seon Jeong-min
Activists resumed sending anti-communist leaflets to North Korea
after a month-long voluntary suspension at the request of the
government and the ruling party. Some 50 members of an association
of 24 conservative civic groups on Thursday gathered in Imjingak
Plaza in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, to attach 3,000 leaflets to one
large balloon and 300 other small balloons to send to North Korea
for an hour at 2:40 p.m.
The leaflets contain criticism of the North Korean regime, comparing
the luxurious life of leader Kim Jong-il with the dire food
shortages elsewhere in the country. . Some nightscape pictures of
Seoul and Pyongyang, and food aid to North Korea, were also
included.
Choi Woo-won, co-leader of the association, said, "The Sunshine
Policy is obviously a failure, since millions of North Koreans have
died of starvation despite several billion tons of food aid by the
South Korean government over the last 10 years. The Unification
Ministry also does not have any right to prevent civic groups
sending leaflets."
Due to a mild breeze, the members could only send 3,000 out of the
30,000 leaflets they prepared. "We will hold a massive rally in
about 10 days," said Choi. The Family Assembly Abducted to North
Korea and the Fighters for a Free North Korea, two groups that
normally lead such campaigns, did not participate in Thursday's
event.
* This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is
identical to the Korean version.
N. Korea Urges Nuke Dialogue With Obama Government (Dong-a Ilbo,
January 2, 2009, Front Page)
By Reporter Shin Seok-ho
North Korea yesterday stepped up its criticism of the South Korean
government and urged the South Korean people to launch
anti-government struggles in a joint newspaper editorial.
The North, however, claimed to be willing to engage in nuclear
disarmament talks with the incoming U.S. administration and
expressed hope for improved relations with the United States.
Under the title "Blowing Horns for a Concerted March, Let's Usher in
a New Year of Revolution," the communist country's three major
newspapers branded the South Korean government and the ruling camp
as "power brokers who have betrayed the nation."
The dailies also called the Seoul government and the ruling party
"anti-unification forces going counter to the time of independent
unification while currying favor with the United States and being
hostile to fellow Koreans."
Pyongyang blamed the Lee Myung-bak Administration for aggravating
inter-Korean relations.
The editorial urged South Korea to implement the two joint
declarations signed by President Lee's two liberal predecessors and
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in the 2000 and 2007 inter-Korean
summits.
The North urged people in the South to intensify their struggle to
"topple the conservative, non-patriotic and fascist regime and
eliminate the risk of war."
This joint editorial is the first by Pyongyang since the 2000
inter-Korean summit to denounce Seoul.
In contrast, the three dailies had friendlier messages for the
United States and neighboring countries. "The validity of our
Republic's independent foreign policy, aimed at the denuclearization
of the Korean Peninsula and securing peace and safety in Northeast
Asia and the world, is increasingly bearing fruit."
Pyongyang mentioned "denuclearization" in its New Year's editorial
for the first time in in 13 years. In 1996, it said it will seek
"sweeping and complete abolition of nuclear weapons."
Yesterday's editorial omitted previous criticism of Washington and
demands for the suspending joint military drills and withdrawing
U.S. troops stationed in the South.
Declaring 2009 as the year of a "new revolution," the communist
country pledged to revive its economy by 2012 under a new economic
initiative similar to the Chollima Movement of the 1950s.
Under Chollima, all North Koreans were mobilized for economic
development.
In its New Year's joint editorial issued last year, Pyongyang
defined 2012 as the year to pave the way for a strong country. 2012
will mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of the country's
founder Kim Il-sung and the 70th birthday of Kim Jong-il.
* This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is
identical to the Korean version.
Stephens
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