Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SEOUL132
2009-01-28 06:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION IN SEOUL
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHUL #0132 0280608 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 280608Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3025 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 8042 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 5314 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 9194 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5205 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS SEOUL 000132
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
"Goodbye Guantanamo"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (01/24): "By ordering
the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison camp in Cuba, President
Barack Obama has drawn a clear line between himself and the failed
policies of the previous administration. He also distanced himself
from the gross human rights violations perpetrated under the guise
of the war on terror. In a welcome ceremony for Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton, President Obama stated, 'We should bear in mind
that America's power comes not only from military power and wealth,
but from its core values.' Secretary of State Clinton also declared
that they will begin a new era in American diplomacy, using 'smart
diplomacy.' These statements indicate that an intelligent approach
to diplomacy would be the Obama Administration's top priority when
it comes to foreign policy. We wholeheartedly welcome the closure
of Guantanamo as the Obama Administration's first step in realizing
its firm beliefs, and displaying them to the world."
"Obama Takes a Stand against Torture"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (01/24): "The first
thing U.S. President Barack Obama did after being inaugurated was to
issue executive orders closing the detention center at Guantanamo
Bay and prohibit the use of torture. This is significant in that it
affirms that protecting human rights can never take a back seat to
security for any reason. We truly hope to see this mindset take
root quickly so as to increase the international community's
confidence in the U.S. Furthermore we hope these efforts by
President Obama lead to a fundamental review of the war on terror so
that he can work on the creation of a new international order, one
that seeks cooperation and common prosperity instead of conflict and
military confrontation."
East Asia and Pacific: DPRK, Nuclear Program, Six-Party Talks
"Kim Jong-il's Growing Interest in Progress at Six-Party Talks"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (01/28): "North Korean
leader Kim Jong-il appears to be trying to set a new stage for his
country, faced with the launch of the new U.S. administration of
President Barack Obama. The North Korean leader told a visiting
senior Chinese official that North Korea is working to denuclearize
the Korean Peninsula... and 'hopes to see us moving forward
peacefully with the countries that are related to Six-Party
process,' indicating his desire to improve ties with Washington.
Furthermore, Kim's meeting with the senior Chinese official shows
that he has high hopes for China as the host nation of the Six-Party
Talks. This move by North Korea provides a good opportunity to
advance the Six-Party Talks and have discussions to establish a
peace regime in Northeast Asia. The U.S. and China should make good
use of this situation."
Stephens