Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SEOUL246
2009-02-18 05:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION IN SEOUL
how-toVZCZCXYZ0009 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHUL #0246 0490538 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 180538Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3272 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 8121 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 5362 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 9215 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5254 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI
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
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