SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; July 7, 2009

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 SEOUL 001066 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KS US SUBJECT: SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; July 7, 2009 TOP HEADLINES -------------- Chosun Ilbo, Hankook Ilbo, All TVs Bloody "Silk Road" 140 Killed and 828 Others Injured in Uighurs' Rioting in Western China JoongAng Ilbo President Lee Donates 33.1 Billion Won to Society Dong-a Ilbo, Segye Ilbo, Seoul Shinmun ROK Drops Four Places to 15th in Global GDP Ranking Hankyoreh Shinmun ROKG Urged to First Provide Subsidies to Upgrade Non-regular Workers' Status to Regular Workers DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS -------------- Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Yu Myung-hwan told the National Assembly yesterday that the ROKG plans to form an inter-ministry task force to prepare for talks with the U.S. regarding revising the ROK-U.S. Atomic Energy Agreement. Minister Yu went on to say that his ministry will seek to begin the talks possibly later this year and that the agenda will include pyro-processing of spent nuclear materials. (Chosun, JoongAng, Dong-a, Hankyoreh, Segye, MBC) According to military sources, the U.S. has expressed its position that it can officially discuss revising its missile treaty with the ROK through various channels, such as the annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM),in order to raise the permissible range of ROK ballistic missiles. (Dong-a) INTERNATIONAL NEWS -------------- Chief nuclear negotiators from the ROK and Japan, in a July 6 meeting in Seoul, agreed to faithfully implement sanctions under UN Security Council resolutions against North Korea, while at the same time pursuing talks with the North. (JoongAng) The North Korean cargo ship, Kang Nam, which has been suspected of carrying banned weapons materials, returned to North Korean territorial waters yesterday after being trailed for three weeks by a U.S. Navy destroyer. (Chosun, JoongAng, Segye) The UN Security Council will hold a plenary session today at Japan's request, to discuss the North's July 4 launch of seven missiles into the East Sea (Sea of Japan). (Chosun, Hankook, Hankyoreh, Segye, Seoul, KBS) MEDIA ANALYSIS -------------- -N. Korea -------------- Most ROK media carried inside-page reports that the North Korean cargo ship, Kang Nam, which has been suspected of carrying banned weapons materials, returned to North Korean territorial waters yesterday after three weeks of being trailed by an American Navy destroyer. Conservative Chosun Ilbo, in an article entitled "Humiliation of the Kang Nam," noted that this incident has shown the Obama Administration's strong resolve to not make any concessions in implementing UN Security Council resolutions against North Korea. SEOUL 00001066 002 OF 006 The article went on to say that a major achievement in this episode was persuading the Burmese junta, which has resumed friendly relations with North Korea, not to permit the Kang Nam to stop there. In a commentary, right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo observed: "The Obama Administration seems to think it needs to push North Korea to the limit to bring it back to dialogue. ... Toward this end, the United States must carry out independent measures aimed at squeezing North Korea, such as financial sanctions and blocking the North's weapons exports. At the same time, China has to be encouraged to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1874. ... The United States thinks it is now China's turn to respond. China will probably do so at the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue scheduled for late July. Whether or not the Obama Administration's stern response to North Korea will continue depends on what type of presents China will bring to the party." Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo also gave play to a July 6 meeting in Seoul between chief nuclear negotiators from the ROK and Japan, in which the two officials agreed to faithfully implement sanctions under UN Security Council resolutions against North Korea, while at the same time pursuing talks with the communist state. Pres. Obama's Visit to Russia Citing the foreign media, the ROK media reported on a July 6 U.S.-Russia agreement in Moscow to reduce the number of nuclear warheads in Russian and U.S. strategic arsenals to between 1,500 and 1,675 within seven years and the number of ballistic missile carriers to between 500-1,100. Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo wrote in the headline: "U.S.-Russia Relations 'Reset'... New Chapter Opens for Reconciliation; Obama, Medvedev Agree on a New Nuclear Arms Reduction Pact to Replace the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START)" Conservative Dong-a Ilbo, meanwhile, headlined its article; "U.S.-Russia Nuclear Arms Reduction Agreement Likely to Lead to Pressure on France, India and China to Do the Same" -Uighur Riots in Xinjiang -------------- The ROK media gave straight, front-and inside-page play to the July 5 bloody clashes in China's volatile western Xinjiang region between Muslim Uighurs and Han Chinese, in which at least 140 people were killed and 828 others injured. The casualty toll, if confirmed, would make this the single worst episode of violence in China in many years and one of the deadliest ethnic clashes in years, according to media reports. Newspapers carried the following headlines: "Bloody 'Silk Road'... Uighur Protesters Shout for Independence; Discrimination, Huge Gap between Rich and Poor... Uighurs Explode with Anger" (conservative Chosun Ilbo); "China Wary that Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region Might Become a 'Second Tibet'" (conservative Dong-a Ilbo, moderate Hankook Ilbo) OPINIONS/EDITORIALS -------------- FIRST STEP FOR "PEACEFUL NUCLEAR SOVEREIGNTY" IS BUILDING TRUST (Dong-a Ilbo, July 7, 2009, Page 39) By Kim Tae-woo, researcher at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses With North Korea's nuclear threat intensifying, some people in the ROK are calling out for nuclear armament. Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Yu Myung-hwan's July 2 statement, "The Seoul-Washington nuclear cooperation agreement should be revised so that a complete nuclear fuel cycle will be recognized" is now causing a stir. However, despite its sensitive timing, Yu's remark is not related to discussion of nuclear armament. SEOUL 00001066 003 OF 006 The ROK declared abandonment of (nuclear) enrichment and reprocessing activities 18 years ago. Military nuclear sovereignty, which refers to the right to have nuclear weapons, is based on the logic that as the North threatens us with its nuclear weapons, we should also respond with our nuclear weapons. On the other hand, peaceful nuclear sovereignty means the right to be free to use atomic energy peacefully, without including nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, in the past, discussions about the ROK's nuclear sovereignty were fraught with confusion between peaceful nuclear sovereignty and military nuclear sovereignty. It is natural that a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) should give up its nuclear weapons, but in the case of the ROK, abandonment of nuclear enrichment and reprocessing activities came not only under the NPT but also under the Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula that was issued by then-President Roh Tae-woo in 1991. Although enrichment is key to producing nuclear fuel, and reprocessing is essential to recycling spent fuel rods and disposing of them in an environment-friendly way, both steps are subject to inspection because they are both steps involved in the manufacturing of nuclear weapons. For the ROK, which is heavily reliant on nuclear energy, it is natural to have facilities for these activities with inspections, but the Roh Tae-woo Administration proclaimed that the ROK would abandon nuclear enrichment and reprocessing activities, saying that it would help persuade the North to stop pursuing its nuclear development. At that time, I argued, "If we give up enrichment and reprocessing activities, we will regret it in coming years," but few listened to me. After a long time, nuclear sovereignty is now being discussed again. In short, however, military nuclear sovereignty, which is illegal under the NPT, is not an option for the ROK to choose. Still, considering that the ROK depends on nuclear energy for 40 percent of its electric power production, it is urgent to secure peaceful nuclear sovereignty, but before that, there are several aspects to think about. First, (the ROK) should have in-depth consultations with the U.S. based on trust. (These consultations) are needed to placate the U.S. as an ally since there are a plethora of important pending issues (with the U.S.) such as the establishment of a strategic alliance, the extension of nuclear umbrella and the transfer of wartime operational control. Also, (the consultations are needed) from the realistic perspective that the U.S. is the country which is leading the initiative against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. In the 1980s, Japan obtained recognition of all nuclear activities including plutonium production under a "comprehensive agreement." This was made possible due to (the influence of) then-leader Nakasone Yasuhiro, who had a vision of (Japan's) future based on the deep trust between the U.S. (and Japan.) Second, since a country like North Korea pushes for nuclearization in defiance of (the international) agreement, advanced countries including the U.S. are making efforts to outlaw the spread of (nuclear) enrichment and reprocessing. Therefore, the ROK should make its way through this international nuclear politics. This is the price the ROK should pay because it "fastened the first button incorrectly." An argument for "military nuclear sovereignty" has a chilling effect. It is urgent that we obtain a guarantee for legal nuclear activities but, at present, the ROK should take a cautious approach. The ROK should consider how the U.S. viewed previous (ROK) governments that reacted emotionally without considering complicated international politics, and should confirm whether mutual trust between the ROK and the U.S. has been sufficiently restored. The ROK should also consider its own capabilities (regarding nuclear sovereignty.) If we think that "scientists, not politicians" should argue for nuclear sovereignty, this attitude does not give due respect to the other party (the U.S.) If so, we are not yet ready to seek a right to peaceful nuclear sovereignty. Things will become worse if the media SEOUL 00001066 004 OF 006 encourages (the ROK) to have military nuclear sovereignty that covers both legal and illegal activities. Achieving peaceful nuclear sovereignty is a process of securing recognition of legal activities through our leverage and international trust. THE BIG SQUEEZE (JoongAng Ilbo, July 6, 2009, Page 41) By Kim Sung-han, a professor of international relations at Korea University Graduate School of International Studies The U.S. must carry out independent measures for squeezing North Korea, such as financial sanctions and blocking weapons exports. Shortly after North Korea launched a long-range missile on April 5, a closed-door seminar was held in Washington and a high-ranking official in the Barack Obama Administration delivered a speech before dinner. He said that when Special Representative for North Korea Policy Stephen Bosworth visited China he delivered a message that, if North Korea did not launch a missile, he intended to visit Pyongyang, and Washington would have direct dialogue with the North Korean government in the future. The official lamented that North Korea went ahead with the missile launch in spite of Bosworth's message, using the metaphor that Washington held out its hand to shake, but instead, North Korea slapped it on the face. After the official's speech, another person at the seminar asked him whether he intended to negotiate for the release of the two women journalists detained in North Korea. The official said he didn't feel comfortable talking about the journalists. About a month later, on May 25, North Korea conducted its second nuclear test. The United Nations Security Council convened and passed Resolution 1874, one of the sternest (measures) the UN has adopted since the Korean War (1950-1953). In addition, the United States has been monitoring the North Korean cargo ship Kang Nam, which is suspected of carrying objects banned under Resolution 1874. It also stopped an additional supply of food aid, saying that transparency in the distribution of food was not guaranteed. North Korea refused to take U.S. food aid in March. It is also known that the United States has frozen or closed bank accounts in many places, including Malaysia, that appear to belong to North Korea. The Obama Administration can take such strict measures because it did not have the same bitter experience as its predecessor. The George W. Bush Administration underwent a painful experience in November 2006 when the ruling party was defeated in the midterm election, shortly after North Korea's nuclear test in October of that year. The Bush Administration regarded the defeat as voters' stern judgment of its Iraq and North Korea policy. After that, the Bush Administration thought there was still a chance that some kind of deal with the North Koreans could be made. It tried to patch up the nuclear issue based on the vague concept of "disabling" the North's nuclear facilities in an attempt to make some headway in foreign affairs. The Obama Administration, which has more than three years left in its term, believes its predecessor's approach sent the wrong message to North Korea: that sanctions would never lead to real action and the United States would surely come to the negotiation table in the end. SEOUL 00001066 005 OF 006 Since he was a presidential candidate, President Obama has maintained the necessity for direct diplomacy to resolve the North Korea issue. He thought it was better to meet face-to-face with leaders of so-called rogue states and resolve complicated pending issues rather than regard seeing them as taboo. But as North Korea has continued its provocations, the Obama Administration seems to think it needs to push North Korea to the limit to bring it back to dialogue. What we need to remember, though, is that in North Korea, the security of the regime is more important than national security. So, according to Washington's reasoning, North Korea will come to the negotiation table only when Kim Jong-il himself feels that the security of his regime could be at risk. Toward this end, the United States must carry out independent measures aimed at squeezing North Korea, such as financial sanctions and blocking North Korea's weapons exports. At the same time, China has to be encouraged to implement UN Security Council Resolution ¶1874. The United States reconfirmed its promise to offer the nuclear umbrella to South Korea and Japan, thereby lifting China's worries over the possible nuclear armament of its two neighbors. The United States thinks it is now China's turn to respond. China will probably do so at the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue scheduled for late July. Whether or not the Obama Administration's stern response to North Korea will continue depends on what type of presents China will bring to the party. (This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is identical to the Korean version.) FEATURES -------------- U.S. COULD DISCUSS RAISING SEOUL`S MISSILE RANGE (Dong-a Ilbo, July 7, 2009, Front Page) By Reporter Yoon Sang-ho At the annual Security Consultative Meeting, the U.S. military could officially bring up the topic of revising the bilateral missile guideline to increase the permissible range of South Korean ballistic missiles. This comes amid the growing demand for missile sovereignty by South Korean politicians in the aftermath of North Korea's long-range missile launches. In a meeting with advisers to National Defense Committee members from both the ruling and opposition parties Thursday, a top U.S. military official reportedly told a briefing, "The revision of the bilateral missile guideline can be discussed through various channels such as the Security Consultative Meeting and the Military Committee Meeting." The two meetings are regular consultative bodies between the defense ministers and chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of both nations. A source said, "If South Korea suggests a revision of the guideline, the issue can be sufficiently discussed through consultation between military authorities or further bilateral talks." The 90-minute briefing was held Thursday at the (South) Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command in Seoul's Yongsan district with 20 advisers invited by U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Walter Sharp. The briefing covered the transfer of wartime operational control, relocation of the U.S. military garrison and other matters, followed by a question and answer session. A top Seoul military source said, "U.S. forces have actively agreed to discuss the revision issue. Therefore, the two sides are highly SEOUL 00001066 006 OF 006 likely to launch a full-fledged discussion on the missile guideline revision as early as October, when the 41st Security Consultative Meeting is scheduled." The missile guideline puts a substantial restriction on South Korea's development of mid and long-range ballistic missiles. Under a bilateral agreement with Washington signed in the 1970s, Seoul agreed not to develop or possess missiles with a range exceeding 180 kilometers and capable of carrying warheads weighing more than 500 kilograms. The late President Park Chung-hee had originally pledged to independently develop a missile with a range of 300 kilometers, but the signing of the 1979 agreement reduced that figure to 180 kilometers, a range that covers the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. (This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is identical to the Korean version.) SEOUL SEEKS RENEGOTIATION OF NUCLEAR PACT (Chosun Ilbo, July 7, Front page) By Reporter Choi Gyung-un Seoul is considering a taskforce to deal with a renegotiation of the Atomic Energy Agreement with the U.S. that would enable South Korea to expand nuclear activities. Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan on Monday said the taskforce could be led by the Foreign Ministry's special ambassador for energy and resources "in cooperation with other government agencies concerned." Minister Yu spoke in the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs, Trade and Unification Committee. "The government will make preparations to begin negotiations in the second half of this year for the purpose of getting the maximum peaceful and commercial use of atomic power reflected in the agreement," he said. Minister Yu said that the two countries will discuss ways of reprocessing, including so-called pyro-processing at high temperatures. Unlike the more common wet reprocessing technology, pyro-reprocessing, also known as a dry recycling, offers nearly zero possibility of nuclear arms use, given that it makes it difficult to extract pure plutonium. Asked by GNP lawmaker Yun Sang-hyeon if pyro-reprocessing does not violate the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) or the Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula that took effect in 1992, Minister Yu said it doesn't. Meanwhile, the National Assembly Unification, Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee decided to push to set up a subcommittee to discuss the issue of using nuclear energy peacefully, including a revision of the Seoul-Washington nuclear cooperation agreement. Committee Chairman Park Jin said, "We will actively push a plan to set up a subcommittee tentatively named "Subcommittee on Diplomatic Strategies for Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy." (We have compared the English version on the website with the Korean version and added some sentences to make them identical.) STEPHENS