Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SEOUL232
2009-02-13 04:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION IN SEOUL
how-toVZCZCXYZ0016 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHUL #0232 0440459 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 130459Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3241 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 8105 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 5355 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 9211 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5249 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS SEOUL 000232
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
East Asia and Pacific: North Korea
"National Security Worries"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilb editorialized (02/13): "Amidst a series
of signs that North Korea may soon test a long-range missile, North
Korea's propaganda newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, has abruptly asserted
North Korea's right to use and develop space technology.
Furthermore, the fact that Chinese vessels have stopped fishing in
the West Sea is definitely an unusual move. Nevertheless, Seoul is
exceptionally quiet, marking a stark contrast to Washington, where
warnings about North Korea's provocations come out every day. Some
even predict that the North will probably seek to launch an attack
calibrated to be too small for Washington to intervene but strong
enough to cause psychological shock for the ROK. With the economy
in such bad shape, we can't afford concerns over national security.
The ROKG must show confidence and resolution on the matter."
"North Korea Should Not Miscalculate Things with a Missile Launch"
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized (02/13): "Despite Washington's
warnings and concerns, North Korea appears to be pushing for the
launch of a ballistic missile. It is also unusual that Pyongyang
replaced the Minister of People's Armed Forces and the Chief of the
General Staff at the same time. We do not know what judgment the
North made about the situation before making this move and how the
internal circumstances in the North affected the move. Some
observers speculate that it is designed to grab Washington's
attention, but the North's saber-rattling against the Obama
Administration, which is willing to have direct talks with it, will
not benefit U.S.-North Korea relations. It will only give
ammunition to hawks."
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
East Asia and Pacific: North Korea
"National Security Worries"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilb editorialized (02/13): "Amidst a series
of signs that North Korea may soon test a long-range missile, North
Korea's propaganda newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, has abruptly asserted
North Korea's right to use and develop space technology.
Furthermore, the fact that Chinese vessels have stopped fishing in
the West Sea is definitely an unusual move. Nevertheless, Seoul is
exceptionally quiet, marking a stark contrast to Washington, where
warnings about North Korea's provocations come out every day. Some
even predict that the North will probably seek to launch an attack
calibrated to be too small for Washington to intervene but strong
enough to cause psychological shock for the ROK. With the economy
in such bad shape, we can't afford concerns over national security.
The ROKG must show confidence and resolution on the matter."
"North Korea Should Not Miscalculate Things with a Missile Launch"
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized (02/13): "Despite Washington's
warnings and concerns, North Korea appears to be pushing for the
launch of a ballistic missile. It is also unusual that Pyongyang
replaced the Minister of People's Armed Forces and the Chief of the
General Staff at the same time. We do not know what judgment the
North made about the situation before making this move and how the
internal circumstances in the North affected the move. Some
observers speculate that it is designed to grab Washington's
attention, but the North's saber-rattling against the Obama
Administration, which is willing to have direct talks with it, will
not benefit U.S.-North Korea relations. It will only give
ammunition to hawks."
Stephens