MEDIA REACTION IN SEOUL

UNCLAS SEOUL 000246 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 Secretary Clinton's Trip to Asia "Agenda for Clinton Visit" Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (02/18): "Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Seoul tomorrow is being viewed with high expectations and interest, not only because the Obama Administration chose East Asia over previous favored destinations - Europe and the Middle East - as its top diplomat's first overseas trip, but also in view of heightening fears about military provocation by North Korea. Pyongyang's threats of a long-range ballistic missile launch are largely regarded as empty rhetoric, timed with Clinton's first foreign trip to get attention from the U.S. and the international community. Still, they have succeeded in exacerbating security fears here. Accordingly, her visit should serve to allay the concerns of the ROK people. Seoul must give Secretary Clinton a full account of the current situation on the Korean Peninsula and discuss a concerted response to the North's provocative actions. The two allies must coordinate their plans to encompass the worst-case scenario of a North Korean missile launch and an attack on ROK territory, and reconfirm their joint stance and efforts to denuclearize North Korea." Stephens