SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; March 13, 2009

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 SEOUL 000393 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KS US SUBJECT: SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; March 13, 2009 TOP HEADLINES -------------- Chosun Ilbo, Hankyoreh Shinmun, Segye Ilbo, Seoul Shinmun, All TVs North Korea to Launch "Satellite" April 4-8 JoongAng Ilbo Monthly Cash Grant of 120,000 to 350,000 Won to be Given to 500,000 Lower Income Households Dong-a Ilbo Taekwang Industrial Chairman Park Yeon-cha, Arrested on Charges of Tax Evasion and Bribery, Admits: "I Gave Huge Amounts of Money to Several Ruling and Opposition Lawmakers, Including Opposition DP Rep. Lee Kwang-jae" Hankook Ilbo 81 Percent of 135 Lawmakers Surveyed "Want More Chances of Cross-Voting" DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS -------------- Stanley Colvin, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Education and Cultural Exchanges, in a March 12 interview, said that the ROK-U.S. WEST (Work, English Study, and Travel) program is for Koreans only. Regarding concerns that Korean students might not get internship jobs after their English language course is completed in the U.S., he said that (the U.S.) will meet the (promised) internship period of 12 months. (Dong-a) INTERNATIONAL NEWS -------------- North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency announced yesterday that North Korea has notified international organizations of its plan to launch an experimental communications satellite, "Kwangmyongsong-2," between April 4 and 8. (All) The North Korean agency also reported that the North recently joined international treaties on space exploration, stating: "Our accession to such treaties will contribute to promoting international confidence and boosting cooperation for space research and satellite launches for peaceful purposes." (All) An ROK Foreign Ministry official confirmed the North Korean move, and commented: "North Korea seemed intended to give prior notice that the first stage of the projectile will fall into the East Sea and the second into the Pacific Ocean." (Chosun) Unification Minister Hyun In-taek, meanwhile, told the National Assembly yesterday: "The North Korean projectile is basically a missile, I think. No matter what it is, it is in violation of the UN Security Council resolution." (All) Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said after a March 11 meeting in Washington with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi: "We are outspoken in our opposition to North Korea's missile launch, and we believe that that is a unified position." (Chosun, Dong-a, Hankook, Segye) Secretary Clinton also offered to hold missile-related talks with North Korea by saying: "We need to have a conversation about missiles, and it wasn't in the Six-Party Talks. We would like to see it be part of the discussion with North Korea." (Chosun, JoongAng) MEDIA ANALYSIS -------------- -North Korea -------------- Most of the ROK newspapers gave above-the-fold front-page play to yesterday's announcement by the (North) Korean Central News Agency SEOUL 00000393 002 OF 006 that North Korea has notified international organizations of its plan to launch an experimental communications satellite, "Kwangmyongsong-2," between April 4 and 8. The North's official news agency was further cited as announcing that the North also recently joined international treaties on space exploration, stating: "Our accession to such treaties will contribute to promoting international confidence and boosting cooperation for space research and satellite launches for peaceful purposes." Chosun Ilbo quoted an ROK Foreign Ministry official as confirming the North Korean move while commenting: "North Korea seemed intended to give prior notice that the first stage of the projectile will fall into the East Sea and the second into the Pacific Ocean." Unification Minister Hyun In-taek was widely quoted as telling the National Assembly yesterday: "The North Korean projectile is basically a missile, I think. No matter what it is, it is in violation of the UN Security Council resolution." The ROK media also gave attention to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's remarks after a March 11 meeting in Washington with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, quoting her as saying: "We are outspoken in our opposition to North Korea's missile launch, and we believe that that is a unified position." Chosun Ilbo and JoongAng Ilbo, in particular, noted that Secretary Clinton offered to hold missile-related talks with North Korea by saying: "We need to have a conversation about missiles, and it wasn't in the Six-Party Talks. We would like to see it be part of the discussion with North Korea." Most of the ROK media viewed this North Korean move as designed to prevent the U.S. and Japan from intercepting the projectile and to avoid international criticism and sanctions by making it clear that it is planning to launch a "satellite" for peaceful purposes. The ROK media also observed that the North's launch is apparently timed for the opening session of the 12th Supreme People's Assembly (North Korea's parliament),and speculated that the North might intend the launch to mark the official launch of the "third Kim Jong-il regime." Citing an ROKG official, JoongAng Ilbo, in particular, saw the North's push for a rocket launch as the communist state's strategic move to develop nuclear weapons. JoongAng quoted the official as saying: "The core of nuclear armament is whether to have the know-how to miniaturize a nuclear warhead and the means of delivery (long-range missile capability). The North seems to be trying to prove its delivery capability by launching a rocket." Chosun Ilbo editorialized: "If the international community does nothing faced with a rocket launch by North Korea, international efforts to deter the spread of weapons of mass destruction will lose considerable momentum. In order to prevent North Korea from emerging 'elated' from its missile launch, if the North goes ahead with a launch, the international community should make the North pay the price." Hankyoreh Shinmun's editorial stated: "North Korea's emphasis that it is planning to launch a 'satellite' seems to be showing the North's determination to keep the situation from heading toward a catastrophe. North Korea should convince the international community that its satellite launch does not pose a threat. If the North pushes ahead with a satellite launch without dispelling international concerns, it will inevitably have a negative influence on (the prospects for )resuming the Six-Party Talks." OPINIONS/EDITORIALS -------------- ¶N. Korea Must Be Brought to Book for Missile Launch (Chosun Ilbo, March 13, 2009, Page 31) North Korea has informed the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Maritime Organization that it will launch a satellite called "Kwangmyongsong-2 between April 4-8." The unprecedented notice appears designed to quell criticism and sanctions from the international community should it push through SEOUL 00000393 003 OF 006 with the missile launch. In July 2006, when North Korea test-fired seven missiles, the UN Security Council ruled that it had threatened civilian aircraft and ships by failing to notify relevant agencies beforehand. But the essence of the problem is not whether North Korea gives an advance notice. The carrier rocket "Unha-2," which that will supposedly launch the satellite into orbit, is actually no different than a ballistic missile. As a result, a satellite launch is the same as test-firing a ballistic missile. In a resolution in July 2006, the UN Security Council demanded that North Korea cease all activities related to its ballistic missile test program, and it used the same expression in October that year, when North Korea tested a nuclear device. On several occasions, the United States has made clear that North Korea's satellite launch is a missile activity and violates the UN resolution, no matter what the communist country says the rocket is for. But Russia and China have yet to clarify their stance on the matter. In Washington on Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with China's foreign minister and said the two countries agreed to discuss responses should North Korea launch a rocket. She added there are various measures that could be taken, but it is unclear what those measures are and whether they will be implemented. If the international community fails to admonish North Korea now, future efforts to prevent it from spreading weapons of mass destruction will lose credibility. The stature of the UN and its Security Council will also be damaged. If it fires a missile, North Korea must be held accountable so that it will not be able to escalate its tirades at the Six-Party Talks. * This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is identical to the Korean version. Rational Discussion, Not Rash Displays of Power, Needed on Satellite Launch (Hankyoreh Shinmun, March 13, 2009, Page 23) North Korea, in relation to its upcoming "satellite launch," announced yesterday that it has taken the step of joining a relevant international convention and provided information on the satellite to an international organization, a different approach from when it launched the "Kwangmyongsong-1 satellite" in 1998 without warning, leading the international community to see the event as the launching of a long-range missile. One will have to wait until the North launches whatever it launches to see what it is. Even if it is a satellite, it will be hard to differentiate it from a long-range missile if it never enters its proper orbit. However, if the projectile does successfully enter its orbit, and Pyongyang has indeed taken the necessary preparatory actions, it will be hard to enact international sanctions. The United States, Russia and China all used ballistic missile technology to successfully get satellites into orbit and it was never a problem. Iran, too, launched a satellite and was never confronted with sanctions, even though it is suspected of developing nuclear technology. It does not look like it will be easy to act on the view of the United States, South Korea, and Japan, which is that it is a violation of a United Nations Security Council resolution no matter whether the projectile is a satellite or long-range missile. Nothing has changed about North Korea's motivation for launching whatever it's launching, insofar as it wants to make a show of force, increase its leverage in negotiations with the United States, and shore up internal unity, since if it successfully launches a satellite it demonstrates it has the ability to launch a long-range missile. The reason the North is going to such lengths to explain that what it is launching is a satellite, then, would seem to be a determination to justify its actions and avoid ruinous controversy. It would, of course, be most desirable to have the North not go through with launching the satellite. Even if it does launch a satellite with the purest of intentions, it will have to make the SEOUL 00000393 004 OF 006 international community believe it is not a threat. Its attitude so far has failed to be convincing to that end. A case in point would be how U.S. North Korea emissary Stephen Bosworth was unable to receive an invitation to Pyongyang while on a tour to South Korea, China and Japan. It is wrong to be avoiding talking to the Americans at a time when the new administration is exploring a profoundly different North Korea policy. Nothing is new about this stuff of firing maybe a missile and maybe a satellite. The United States and North Korea got very close to arriving at an agreement on missiles nine years ago. Right now, Pyongyang needs to be refraining from doing anything that makes the situation worse or incites other parties. If it fires a satellite without appeasing the concerns of the international community, it will be hurting chances for resumption of the Six-Party Talks. Rash displays of power are not going to turn anything around for North Korea. What it needs is serious discussion with the countries in the Six-Party Talks. * This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is identical to the Korean version. FEATURES -------------- Deputy Assistant Secretary Colvin: "The WEST Program Is Only for Koreans... 12 Month-long Internship Period Will Be Filled" (Dong-a Ilbo, March 13, 2009, Page 5) By Reporter Kim Young-sik "My mother always told me, 'you really don't know if you don't go.'" On March 12, Stanley Colvin, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Education and Cultural Affairs, made the statement to 190 Korean students, who will depart for the U.S. next month under the WEST (Work, English Study and Travel) Program, adding, "I hope you enjoy new adventures." He visited Seoul in order to attend the launching ceremony of the WEST Program, which was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Jong-ro, Seoul, on March 11. During a March 12 interview with Dong-a Ilbo at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, he stressed, "Long-term relationships start when you are young," adding that youth exchanges between the two countries will have a positive impact on the improvement in relations between the ROK and the U.S. ¶Q. What significance does the WEST Program have? "It is quite an important and unique program that has been developed in recognition of our strong bilateral relations. It combines what are interesting programs to young students: English language training (5 months),traveling (1 month),and opportunities to have an internship (12 months). Thanks to both Presidents' endorsement, it got off to a good start. (The WEST Program is an exchange program which was agreed at the ROK-U.S. summit last April (sic - August).) " ¶Q. Since this is the first program of its kind, some Koreans are concerned about what they feel are a lack of preparations by the U.S. "Three sponsors, which we have chosen to lead this program, are all recognized leaders in the U.S. (in the field of exchange and intern placement). First, with a 62-year-old history, the Council for International Educational Exchange (CIEE) has over 400 employees and has arranged more than 40,000 exchanges so far. Second, the Intrax Cultural Exchange (ICE) also has 30 years of experience. Finally, the 60-year-old Association for International Practical Training (AIPT),which was created post-World War II, is the U.S. member of the International Association of Science and Technology Exchanges." SEOUL 00000393 005 OF 006 ¶Q. Some (participants) are worried that they might have return to the ROK if they do not get an internship after completing the five-month language course. "It is a legitimate fear because this is a brand-new program. However, even if internship activities are suspended for some unexpected reasons, the sponsors, which have broad and deep capabilities, would also find them another internship." ¶Q. (There are concerns that) Korean students are not familiar to the U.S. corporate culture. "At yesterday's orientation, I found that the students have a lot of interest (in this issue.) Each sponsor is developing a different program. Since the language classes that students will take are related to corporate culture, the students should not have any difficulties. ¶Q. Why does each sponsor run a separate program? "It (WEST) is designed to provide the opportunity of choice. We also want to see which model will work best as a longer-term proposition. For instance, because the ICE program includes home stays, it provides an opportunity to be in an immersive English environment and to interact with an American family. ¶Q. Considering that U.S. companies are in a difficult situation due to the economic crisis, wouldn't the participating students have difficulties getting an internship? "It's a difficult economic environment, but business still goes on. In 1973-74 and 1982-84, the U.S. experienced economic recessions caused by oil shocks, but workers found jobs." (Editor's Note: Colvin also stated, although it was not included in the article, that from a hiring standpoint, companies typically treat internships differently and more leniently than they do full-time employment.) ¶Q. Your original plan was to expand the number of participants to 5,000 a year. Do you think this will be difficult? "It is difficult to expand the number to 5,000 this year. However, if, as we build the program, we systematically increase the number -- to 400 and to 600 and so on -- I expect that we will eventually get to the target number of up to 5,000 a year." ¶Q. Do you have any plan to expand the WEST Program to other countries? "When it comes to all pilot programs, running them successfully is more important than anything else. I am not sure that the WEST Program would work as well in other countries. This is because demand for the English language and the bilateral relationship with the U.S. provide the firm foundation for this program. This program is unique to Korea." ¶Q. Are you planning to have a similar program for U.S. students who wish to come to the ROK? "That is part of what we are looking at. We are pushing a plan to have high school students or teachers come to the ROK for short-term programs. We want to have Americans coming here and having the same experience." ¶Q. President Obama recently mentioned that U.S. students should now spend more time in the classroom, as Korean students do. What do you think about this? "U.S. students should (probably) study more. However, since (the ROK and the U.S.) have different education systems, it seems difficult to apply (the same system) uniformly. I think that what the President was actually saying is we could probably improve the American school system." SEOUL 00000393 006 OF 006 STEPHENS