Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SEOUL102
2009-01-21 05:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION IN SEOUL
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHUL #0102 0210549 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 210549Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2980 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 8032 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 5289 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 9184 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5182 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS SEOUL 000102
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/PD FOR SWALKER, EAP/P, EAP/K
STATE PASS USDA ELECTRONICALLY FOR FAX/ITP SCHEIKH
STATE PASS USTR FOR RCASSIDY
USDOC FOR 4430/IEP/OPB/EAP/JDONIUS
TREASURY FOR OASIA/MGREWE
CINCPAC FOR J-74
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR ECON KS US KPAO KMDR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION IN SEOUL
Subject: Media Reaction; Seoul
Presidential Inauguration/New Administration's Foreign Policy
"A New Beginning for America"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (01/21): "President Obama's
top priority, economic recovery, can gain momentum when it is
pursued within the framework of international cooperation.
Recently, important figures in the Obama Administration, including
Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton, raised the need to
renegotiate the KORUS FTA on the pretext of protecting the U.S. auto
industry, sparking concerns that the new U.S. administration might
be headed for 'protectionism.' As seen in the Great Depression in
1934, competitive protectionism among countries only aggravates an
economic crisis. The U.S. should show leadership in creating a more
open global trade system. The same goes for the North Korean
nuclear issue. North Korea has already made various gestures to
bring itself to the world's attention in time for the inauguration
of the new U.S. president. Seoul and Washington must waste no time
in beginning talks over the nuclear issue and a new vision for the
ROK-U.S. alliance."
"Good Luck, President Obama"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (01/21): "For Koreans,
the North Korea nuclear issue and the pending KORUS FTA are of the
utmost interest. The U.S. should try to balance resolving the
North's nuclear issue through close cooperation with the ROK while
at the same time adopting a tough diplomatic stance. The Obama
Administration needs to decide whether delaying ratification of the
bilateral trade deal and pursuing protectionism will serve U.S.
national interests and the spirit of the ROK-U.S. alliance."
"High Expectations for Obama's Era"
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized (01/21): "The reason why
countries around the world welcome Obama's inauguration is that they
sincerely hope that he will overcome the economic crisis and lead
the world toward peace and stability by realizing his slogan of
'bold hope' and 'change.'"
"A New America, A New World"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (01/21): "As noted by
Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton, the North Korean
nuclear issue is an "urgent" one. Officials from the Obama camp are
said to share a favorable view of resolving pending North Korean
issues comprehensively, which range from dismantling North Korea's
nuclear programs, normalizing U.S.-North Korean relations and
(providing) economic and energy aid to the North, to establishing a
peace regime on the Korean Peninsula. That being the case, the
shortcut to progress would be to exchange mutually trustworthy
special envoys to confirm each side's intentions and then
immediately to enter into negotiations with the North. If there is
prompt progress on the nuclear issue, it would be easy for Obama to
concentrate on other international issues, including the Middle East
conflict. The start of the Obama Administration carries significant
meaning in that it has opened a new era of progressivism in modern
world politics."
Stephens
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/PD FOR SWALKER, EAP/P, EAP/K
STATE PASS USDA ELECTRONICALLY FOR FAX/ITP SCHEIKH
STATE PASS USTR FOR RCASSIDY
USDOC FOR 4430/IEP/OPB/EAP/JDONIUS
TREASURY FOR OASIA/MGREWE
CINCPAC FOR J-74
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR ECON KS US KPAO KMDR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION IN SEOUL
Subject: Media Reaction; Seoul
Presidential Inauguration/New Administration's Foreign Policy
"A New Beginning for America"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (01/21): "President Obama's
top priority, economic recovery, can gain momentum when it is
pursued within the framework of international cooperation.
Recently, important figures in the Obama Administration, including
Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton, raised the need to
renegotiate the KORUS FTA on the pretext of protecting the U.S. auto
industry, sparking concerns that the new U.S. administration might
be headed for 'protectionism.' As seen in the Great Depression in
1934, competitive protectionism among countries only aggravates an
economic crisis. The U.S. should show leadership in creating a more
open global trade system. The same goes for the North Korean
nuclear issue. North Korea has already made various gestures to
bring itself to the world's attention in time for the inauguration
of the new U.S. president. Seoul and Washington must waste no time
in beginning talks over the nuclear issue and a new vision for the
ROK-U.S. alliance."
"Good Luck, President Obama"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (01/21): "For Koreans,
the North Korea nuclear issue and the pending KORUS FTA are of the
utmost interest. The U.S. should try to balance resolving the
North's nuclear issue through close cooperation with the ROK while
at the same time adopting a tough diplomatic stance. The Obama
Administration needs to decide whether delaying ratification of the
bilateral trade deal and pursuing protectionism will serve U.S.
national interests and the spirit of the ROK-U.S. alliance."
"High Expectations for Obama's Era"
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized (01/21): "The reason why
countries around the world welcome Obama's inauguration is that they
sincerely hope that he will overcome the economic crisis and lead
the world toward peace and stability by realizing his slogan of
'bold hope' and 'change.'"
"A New America, A New World"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (01/21): "As noted by
Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton, the North Korean
nuclear issue is an "urgent" one. Officials from the Obama camp are
said to share a favorable view of resolving pending North Korean
issues comprehensively, which range from dismantling North Korea's
nuclear programs, normalizing U.S.-North Korean relations and
(providing) economic and energy aid to the North, to establishing a
peace regime on the Korean Peninsula. That being the case, the
shortcut to progress would be to exchange mutually trustworthy
special envoys to confirm each side's intentions and then
immediately to enter into negotiations with the North. If there is
prompt progress on the nuclear issue, it would be easy for Obama to
concentrate on other international issues, including the Middle East
conflict. The start of the Obama Administration carries significant
meaning in that it has opened a new era of progressivism in modern
world politics."
Stephens