Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SEOUL444
2009-03-20 07:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
how-toVZCZCXRO5169 RR RUEHGH DE RUEHUL #0444 0790747 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 200747Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3676 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 8291 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 5552 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 9362 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5447 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 0442 RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 4068 RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 3063 RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 6298 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0682 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2066 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1097 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1718
UNCLAS SEOUL 000444
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
North Korea - detained U.S. journalists
"North Korea Must Free U.S. Reporters Now"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (03/20): "If this incident is
resolved through U.S. - North Korea negotiations, like in the past,
those negotiations would mark the first (negotiations between U.S.
and North Korea) since the launch of the Obama Administration. In
this regard, this incident might serve to change the North's
hard-line stance, which has been growing more radical in recent
months. ... North Korea should immediately release the two U.S.
journalists. If it detains them for a long period of time while
accusing them of 'spying,' as it did in the past, it would turn U.S.
public opinion against the North."
"Detained U.S. Journalists Are Not Subjects for Political Deal"
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized (03/20): "North Korea might
attempt to use the detention as a political bargaining tool.
However, the North should not turn a humanitarian issue into a
political matter. ... It should accurately clarify why the reporters
were detained. Whatever the reason, since their identities have
been confirmed, the North should release the journalists as soon as
possible without any conditions attached. Otherwise, it is as if
North Korea is proclaiming to the world that it is a dictatorship
with many things to hide."
"Detention of U.S. Journalists: Crisis or Opportunity?"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (03/20): "What is
important now is the willingness of the two countries (the U.S. and
North Korea) to talk. Even though the U.S. is still reviewing its
North Korea policy, talks should continue between the U.S. and North
Korea. This detention incident can be a good opportunity (for
dialogue.) In 1996, when a Korean American illegally entered North
Korea, Washington sent Bill Richardson, then-U.S. Congressman, to
Pyongyang as a special envoy to resolve the case, and that paved the
way for the two countries to improve bilateral ties. This incident
could also turn the situation around if they have the will (to
talk.)"
STEPHENS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
North Korea - detained U.S. journalists
"North Korea Must Free U.S. Reporters Now"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (03/20): "If this incident is
resolved through U.S. - North Korea negotiations, like in the past,
those negotiations would mark the first (negotiations between U.S.
and North Korea) since the launch of the Obama Administration. In
this regard, this incident might serve to change the North's
hard-line stance, which has been growing more radical in recent
months. ... North Korea should immediately release the two U.S.
journalists. If it detains them for a long period of time while
accusing them of 'spying,' as it did in the past, it would turn U.S.
public opinion against the North."
"Detained U.S. Journalists Are Not Subjects for Political Deal"
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized (03/20): "North Korea might
attempt to use the detention as a political bargaining tool.
However, the North should not turn a humanitarian issue into a
political matter. ... It should accurately clarify why the reporters
were detained. Whatever the reason, since their identities have
been confirmed, the North should release the journalists as soon as
possible without any conditions attached. Otherwise, it is as if
North Korea is proclaiming to the world that it is a dictatorship
with many things to hide."
"Detention of U.S. Journalists: Crisis or Opportunity?"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (03/20): "What is
important now is the willingness of the two countries (the U.S. and
North Korea) to talk. Even though the U.S. is still reviewing its
North Korea policy, talks should continue between the U.S. and North
Korea. This detention incident can be a good opportunity (for
dialogue.) In 1996, when a Korean American illegally entered North
Korea, Washington sent Bill Richardson, then-U.S. Congressman, to
Pyongyang as a special envoy to resolve the case, and that paved the
way for the two countries to improve bilateral ties. This incident
could also turn the situation around if they have the will (to
talk.)"
STEPHENS