SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; March 6, 2009

UNCLAS SEOUL 000353 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KS US SUBJECT: SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; March 6, 2009 TOP HEADLINES Chosun Ilbo Defects Found in Seoul-Busan High-Speed Railroad JoongAng Ilbo, All TVs Official Housing Prices Fall, Narrowing the Base for A Comprehensive Real Estate Tax Based on Home Value Dong-a Ilbo Son of Japanese Kidnap Victim Yearns to See His Mother, who was Abducted to North Korea in 1978 Hankook Ilbo, Segye Ilbo North Korea Threatens Safety of ROK Passenger Planes Flying over East Sea Hankyoreh Shinmun, Seoul Shinmun Supreme Court Judge Confirmed to Have Sent Multiple Emails to Junior Judges Urging Them to Speed Up Trials of Anti-U.S. Beef Protestors DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS ¶1. The leaders of the ROK and Australia, during their March 5 summit in Canberra, adopted a nine-point joint declaration to strengthen cooperation on security issues in the region and around the globe. In a related development, Blue House Spokesman Lee Dong-kwan told reporters that the joint declaration has nothing to do with [the ROK's full participation in] the U.S.-led Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) aimed at stopping the spread of weapons of mass destruction, which largely targets North Korea. (All) ¶2. North Korea, in a March 5 statement by its Committee for Peaceful Reunification of Korea, made threats against ROK commercial airliners that fly over the East Sea during the March 9-20 ROK-U.S. joint military drills, ratcheting up tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Accordingly, the ROK's two major airlines, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, have decided to alter certain routes to move planes further away from the North. (All) ¶3. Stephen Bosworth, the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy, will visit Seoul tomorrow to discuss security issues, including a possible missile launch by North Korea, with Seoul officials. (Chosun, Dong-a) ¶4. Former Assistant Secretary of State Morton Abramowitz, in a recent contribution to The National Interest, published by the Nixon Center, said that North Korean officials told Ambassador Bosworth and his delegation when they visited Pyongyang from Feb. 3-7 that North Korea would give up its nuclear ambitions if the U.S. abrogates its alliance with the ROK. The North also insisted that nuclear materials and nuclear weapons should be dismantled in a separate fourth stage, instead of in the third stage of the agreed-upon three stages of nuclear dismantlement. Experts saw this North Korean move as an indication that Pyongyang has no intention of giving up its nuclear programs. (Dong-a) MEDIA ANALYSIS -North Korea The ROK media gave front-and inside-page play to North Korea's March 5 statement making threats against ROK commercial airliners that fly over the East Sea during the March 9-20 ROK-U.S. joint military drills. The ROK media widely cited the North's Committee for Peaceful Reunification of Korea as saying in a March 5 statement: "Security cannot be guaranteed for South Korean civil airplanes flying through our airspace and its vicinity, particularly over the East Sea, while the military exercises are underway." The ROK media went on to report that the nation's two major airlines, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, have decided to alter certain routes to move planes further away from the North. Conservative Dong-a Ilbo ran an inside-page report on former Assistant Secretary of State Morton Abramowitz's recent contribution to The National Interest, published by the Nixon Center, quoting him as saying that North Korean officials told Ambassador Bosworth and his delegation when they visited Pyongyang from Feb. 3-7 that North Korea would give up its nuclear ambitions if the U.S. abrogates its alliance with the ROK. [Mr. Abramowitz was among those accompanying Ambassador Bosworth on his February trip to the North.] Mr. Abramowitz was further quoted as saying that the North also insisted that nuclear materials and nuclear weapons should be dismantled in a separate fourth stage, instead of in the third stage of the agreed-upon three stages of nuclear dismantlement. Dong-a interpreted this North Korean move to indicate that Pyongyang has no intention of giving up its nuclear programs. -ICC Warrant for Sudan's al-Bashir Most of the ROK media gave attention to the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s March 4 issuance of an arrest warrant for Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the six-year-old conflict in Darfur. The ROK media noted that the warrant issued by the ICC was the first by the court against a sitting head of state and paved the way for potential indictments of other heads of state who have been mentioned as possible targets of war crimes investigations. Conservative Chosun Ilbo and moderate Hankook Ilbo observed that the West, including the U.S. and the EU, welcomed the ICC move but that China, the Arab world and Africa protested. Chosun headlined its story: "Beshir Warrant Splits the World." Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun's headline read: "Sudan Expels Foreign Aid Agencies in Reckless Retaliation." OPINIONS/EDITORIALS At Geumnam-ro (Gwangju Ilbo, February 25, 2009) By Park Jin-young Something unexpected occurred when pop singer, Cliff Richard, dubbed 'Britain's Elvis Presley' began to sing at an auditorium of Ewha Womans University in October 1969. Some women fans who went wild over his song threw their underwear and stockings at him. At a time when the military regime ruled, this 'underwear happening' was a sensational phenomenon in the Korean society. Clinton's lecture at Ewha Womans University was a complete 'culture shock'. In Feb. 20, four decades since the incident happened, another global star, 'Madam Secretary', U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, visited the Ewha auditorium. Standing on the stage as the U.S. Secretary of State, she captivated two thousand female students instantly. With a confident posture, and composed, dignified attitude that comes from her distinguished career as well as her rich and fulfilling experience, Secretary Clinton certainly proved that she is the original "Alpha girl" (a smart, elite girl who beats her male peers in everything -intelligence, sports, leadership etc.) Clinton who appeared amid roaring applause was more than a top-rated star. She recounted her moments as a 'senior Alpha girl', the experience of being a 'number two' in Washington's political arena and female politician, and her personal story as a housewife and mother, delivering a distinctive speech that no other entertainer could hope to imitate. It was a short one-hour lecture due to her two-day itinerary. But Alpha girls in Korea were deeply touched, enough to feel almost a 'culture shock'. The first key word of her lecture that inspired the female students in the audience was "communication". On a first note, she said, "I came to this university as a matter of destiny because Ewha and I share a connection. My family on my father's side comes from Scranton, Pennsylvania which spells the same as Mary Scranton, the founder of Ehwa Womens University." As the person of such consequence, who came so close to becoming the 'Madam President of the United States,' noted her special connections to Ewha and reached out to students with humble words, the atmosphere in the hall started to heat up. Secretary Clinton also stressed the importance of taking risks, drawing many nods from the audience. She related a precious experience she had over the course of her career as a lawyer, first lady, and New York Senator. She recollected that her bid for presidential candidacy was a valuable experience even though it ended up merely as a challenge, but she said that in retrospect she made a right choice. Asked by a female student on how to get through difficulties in life, she responded, "I think that every one faces challenges in life. But people live different lives depending on how they respond to difficulties. They should go through hard times rather than give up. They should have the discipline of gratitude." Clinton revealed her parental experience of being an ordinary mother. Asked about her single daughter Chelsea, her face became radiant with a smile. She said, "One of the most wonderful things about being a mother is watching your child grow into an adult whom you like and admire," stressing the importance of marriage and childbirth. There is no need to say that words coming from the most influential working mom who also is a world leader serve as refreshing advice for Korean Alpha girls as they aspire to live as successful and confident working women. However, the highlight of the event was Mrs. Hillary Clinton herself as a "living history." The 13-year-old girl, who wanted to become an astronaut, was frustrated by NASA's sexual discrimination. Still, she did not abandon her dreams and prepared for the future, and as a result, she was able to transform herself into the Secretary of State. She said that we may not end up exactly where we started to head toward and added, "Do what you love" and "Prepare yourselves for the future." "Women, Follow Your Dreams" U.S. Secretary of State Clinton stayed in the ROK only for 21 hours. Although there are different interpretations regarding the "gifts" that she brought with her to the ROK, one thing is certain. That is the "Hillary syndrome." Her message, "Whenever we face challenges, we should not give up our dreams," created a sensation among Korean women. In particular, for Alpha girls who do not grow into Alpha women for social and personal reasons, her message was more powerful than any other motivation. If the Hillary syndrome is not just a passing fad and spreads to many Alpha girls, one of them just may become the ROK's "Madam Secretary" some day and travel around the world in the near future. This seems to be the most valuable gift of Secretary Clinton for Korean women. Lee, Rudd Agree on Security Cooperation (Chosun Ilbo, March 6, 2009, Page 3) President Lee Myung-bak and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd issued a nine-point statement on global and security cooperation after meeting in Canberra on Thursday. The two leaders agreed to start bilateral free trade negotiations in May. The two countries' relations have so far concentrated on economy and trade, but the statement provides an opportunity to enhance security and military cooperation, the Blue House said. In a press conference, Lee stressed the importance of security cooperation with Australia, which took part in the Korean War. Rudd said the two countries will closely cooperate in the defense sector and establish themselves as firm allies in the Asia-Pacific region. Presidential spokesman Lee Dong-kwan said, "The statement envisions the two countries cooperating in the non-proliferation regime pursued by the UN and other international agencies. It's totally different from the [U.S.-led] Proliferation Security Initiative, which envisions searching ships carrying nuclear weapons and other materials in open seas." Lee and Rudd pledged cooperation on military exchanges and counter-terrorism. They also agreed to cooperate on law enforcement to combat transnational crime, including trafficking in illegal narcotics and precursors, people smuggling and trafficking, money laundering, counterfeiting currency and arms smuggling, piracy and armed robbery against ships, and on the border security issues. Regarding FTA negotiations, the two leaders agreed that the FTA will increase bilateral trade significantly. * We have compared the English version on the website with the Korean version and made some changes to make them identical. FEATURES ¶N. Korea Says It Will Give Up Nuclear Ambitions If the U.S. Abrogates Alliance with the ROK (Dong-a Ilbo, March 6, 2009, Page 10) It is reported that when Special Representative for North Korea Policy Stephen Bosworth paid a private visit to North Korea, North Korea told him that it would give up its nuclear ambitions only if the U.S. abrogates its alliance with the ROK. Former Assistant Secretary of State Morton Abramowitz, who accompanied Ambassador Bosworth, discussed their meeting with the North's chief delegate to the Six-Party Talks Kim Kye-gwan and other [North Korea] high-ranking officials in an article he contributed to the 'National Interest', a journal published by the Nixon Center. He said that, as preconditions for giving up its nuclear programs, North Korea suggested that the U.S. should drop its hostile policy toward the North, withdraw the nuclear umbrella for the ROK, and renounce its alliance with the ROK. In the past, North Korea has often insisted that the U.S. pull-out its troops from the ROK. But it is rare that North Korea has called for abrogation of the U.S.-ROK alliance as a precondition for dropping its nuclear ambitions. Experts view that North Korea is hinting at its intention of not giving up nuclear ambitions. During a visit to the ROK, Secretary Clinton sent a clear message to the North that the U.S. will not directly talk to North Korea while bypassing the ROK. Experts observe that this message was meant to forestall the North's attempt to destroy the U.S.-ROK alliance. North Korea also said that it will pursue denuclearization in four stages, not in three stages. In the existing three stages agreed under the Six-Party Talks, North Korea would shut down, disable and dismantle nuclear facilities. However, the North insisted that nuclear materials and nuclear weapons should be dismantled in a separate fourth stage, not in the third stage of nuclear dismantlement. Abramowitz said, "North Korea expressed its desire to dismantle nuclear weapons in a final stage." He added, "The North hinted that, in a third stage, it will dismantle plutonium facilities in return for receiving a light water reactor." A diplomatic source said that North Korea showed its intention to not abandon its nuclear programs by proposing unacceptable preconditions. It seems that the Six-Party Talks face a bumpy road ahead. Stephens 1