Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SEOUL1223
2009-08-04 04:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
how-toVZCZCXRO3883 RR RUEHGH DE RUEHUL #1223 2160432 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 040432Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5196 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 8942 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 6466 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0093 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6384 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 1072 RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 4815 RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 3786 RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 6982 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1327 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2646 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1723 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2333
UNCLAS SEOUL 001223
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC: DPRK
--------------
"WE SHOULD CAUTION AGAINST NUCLEAR CONNECTION BETWEEN NORTH KOREA
AND MYANMAR"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (08/04): "North Korea is
assisting Myanmar's nuclear development, presumably for various
reasons. North Korea may want to obtain food in return for its
nuclear cooperation, or may intend to provoke the U.S. by fuelling
suspicion over nuclear proliferation. What is most worrisome is
that North Korea is developing additional nuclear programs
indirectly through Myanmar. This could pose a direct threat to us.
Also, nuclear development by autocratic Myanmar, which neighbors
Thailand, Laos, China, India and Bangladesh, could jeopardize the
stability of the entire Asian region."
"HOW CAN SEOUL FIND A HEARING OVER N. KOREA?"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (08/04): "In the event of a
North Korea contingency, observers speculate that China is more
likely to resolve the situation through the UN Security Council than
to intervene in North Korea militarily... Since North Korea is also
a UN member state, it will not be easy for the ROK to gain priority
status over the North Korean region just because the two Koreas
share the same history and ethnicity. At the UNSC, China and Russia
have veto power, which means that they can reject any change if it
does not suit their national interests. In the end, the best way to
prepare for a post-Kim Jong-il future is to strengthen our relations
with the U.S. and China at the same time."
STEPHENS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC: DPRK
--------------
"WE SHOULD CAUTION AGAINST NUCLEAR CONNECTION BETWEEN NORTH KOREA
AND MYANMAR"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (08/04): "North Korea is
assisting Myanmar's nuclear development, presumably for various
reasons. North Korea may want to obtain food in return for its
nuclear cooperation, or may intend to provoke the U.S. by fuelling
suspicion over nuclear proliferation. What is most worrisome is
that North Korea is developing additional nuclear programs
indirectly through Myanmar. This could pose a direct threat to us.
Also, nuclear development by autocratic Myanmar, which neighbors
Thailand, Laos, China, India and Bangladesh, could jeopardize the
stability of the entire Asian region."
"HOW CAN SEOUL FIND A HEARING OVER N. KOREA?"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (08/04): "In the event of a
North Korea contingency, observers speculate that China is more
likely to resolve the situation through the UN Security Council than
to intervene in North Korea militarily... Since North Korea is also
a UN member state, it will not be easy for the ROK to gain priority
status over the North Korean region just because the two Koreas
share the same history and ethnicity. At the UNSC, China and Russia
have veto power, which means that they can reject any change if it
does not suit their national interests. In the end, the best way to
prepare for a post-Kim Jong-il future is to strengthen our relations
with the U.S. and China at the same time."
STEPHENS