SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SEOUL 001441 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION North Korea -------------- "WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO PUT PRESSURE ON PYONGYANG TO MAKE PROGRESS ON NORTH KOREA NUCLEAR ISSUE" Kim Sung-han, professor at the Graduate School of International Studies of Korea University, opined in right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo (09/09): "The reason why the North insists on bilateral talks with the U.S. is to break up a "pressure front" formed by China, the U.S., Japan, Russia, and the ROK by improving relations with the U.S. China, the biggest beneficiary of the Six-Party Talks, agrees (to this assessment). U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Stephen Bosworth, who recently visited Seoul, also said, "I don't think there's been any fundamental change (in the North.) We're prepared to engage bilaterally as well with the North Koreans, but only in the context of the Six-Party process and in order to facilitate the Six-Party exercise." The determination of Japan and Russia toward the denuclearization of North Korea is also strong. The ultimate resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue is to draw North Korea into a "new world" by continuing pressure on the North based on close cooperation among the five nations and the international community." TOKOLA