Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SEOUL515
2009-03-31 07:43:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
how-toVZCZCXRO4719 RR RUEHGH DE RUEHUL #0515/01 0900743 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 310743Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3833 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 8337 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 5646 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 9445 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5551 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 0486 RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 4125 RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 3123 RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 6343 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0746 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2108 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1156 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1772
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SEOUL 000515
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
North Korea: DPRK, planned missile launch
--------------
"MISSILE MEASURES"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (03/31): "The comments
by U.S. Secretary of Defense Gates and President Lee reveal close
cooperation between the ROK and the U.S., but we can't help
harboring considerable concern about security. The attitude of the
U.S., which frequently changes its stance, is not trustworthy.
Above all, Secretary Gates will not be able to avoid criticism for
his careless remarks on the missile issue... The ROKG should now
come up with specific measures to dispel the ROK people's concern.
It should even consider participating in the Missile Defense system
more positively."
"DOES OBAMA HAVE A N. KOREA POLICY?"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (03/31): "Judging from the
situation so far, the U.S. administration appears to have decided it
would be difficult to take any measures against a North Korean
missile launch other than discussing it with the UN Security
Council... This would be very disappointing for a large number of
South Koreans and would spread the view among both North and South
Koreans, as well as the international community, that the U.S. has
no magic formula either. Fundamentally, it would exacerbate
confusion and suspicion over the Obama administration's North Korea
policy."
"TOLERATING N. KOREA'S PROVOCATION?"
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized (03/31): "The irresponsible
responses by Seoul and Washington will inevitably cause serious side
effects. Military experts warn that President Lee's comment has
given the North the green light to launch its Taepodong-2 missile,
enabling the North to comfortably make its provocations. The early
retreat by Seoul and Washington also makes it difficult for the
United Nations to impose strong sanctions on the North if a missile
is launched. The toleration of the North's nuclear and missile
development, it is feared, will torpedo the Nonproliferation Treaty
and the Missile Technology Control Regime."
"PRESIDENT'S REALISTIC REMARKS ON N. KOREAN AFFAIR"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (03/31): "President
Lee's statements during the interview with The Financial Times are
meaningful as the President publicly opposed a military response and
reaffirmed a moderate stance. Regarding the intention of Lee's
remarks, government officials have explained that, 'It sent a
message to North Korea that the South Korean government won't
participate in playing a leading hard-line role to worsen the
situation even if North Korea launches a satellite rocket.' Given
concerns that a satellite launch by North Korea would spark a chain
reaction and make the situation on the Korean Peninsula worse, we
welcomed this message."
"SEOUL SHOULD ENHANCE DIPLOMATIC COORDINATION ON NORTH KOREAN
MISSILE ISSUE"
Moderate Seoul Shinmun editorialized (03/31): "President Lee's
statement [that he opposes a military response to North Korea's
missile launch] can be seen as his efforts to dispel concerns about
a military response and to make sure that North Korea's rocket
launch will not become a stumbling block in the road to overcoming
the economic crisis... Seoul should focus its diplomatic efforts on
seeking cooperation with the U.S., Japan, China and Russia in
reminding the North that its rocket launch and saber-rattling will
never be beneficial to the communist state itself."
SEOUL 00000515 002 OF 002
Upcoming G-20 Summit
--------------
"BRIEF BUT SIGNIFICANT FIRST SUMMIT BETWEEN THE ROK AND THE U.S."
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized (03/31): "During the summit to
be held on the sidelines of the G-20 summit, the ROK and U.S.
Presidents should work together to come up with effective measures
against North Korea's launch of a long-range rocket. They should
make North Korea pay the price for its behavior in defiance of
international warnings, and at the same time, maintain the momentum
of dialogue and negotiations at the level of the Korean Peninsula,
such as the Six-Party Talks... We hope that the first meeting
between Presidents Lee and Obama will serve as a good opportunity to
build mutual trust, which is essential to resolving pending
bilateral issues."
STEPHENS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
North Korea: DPRK, planned missile launch
--------------
"MISSILE MEASURES"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (03/31): "The comments
by U.S. Secretary of Defense Gates and President Lee reveal close
cooperation between the ROK and the U.S., but we can't help
harboring considerable concern about security. The attitude of the
U.S., which frequently changes its stance, is not trustworthy.
Above all, Secretary Gates will not be able to avoid criticism for
his careless remarks on the missile issue... The ROKG should now
come up with specific measures to dispel the ROK people's concern.
It should even consider participating in the Missile Defense system
more positively."
"DOES OBAMA HAVE A N. KOREA POLICY?"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (03/31): "Judging from the
situation so far, the U.S. administration appears to have decided it
would be difficult to take any measures against a North Korean
missile launch other than discussing it with the UN Security
Council... This would be very disappointing for a large number of
South Koreans and would spread the view among both North and South
Koreans, as well as the international community, that the U.S. has
no magic formula either. Fundamentally, it would exacerbate
confusion and suspicion over the Obama administration's North Korea
policy."
"TOLERATING N. KOREA'S PROVOCATION?"
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized (03/31): "The irresponsible
responses by Seoul and Washington will inevitably cause serious side
effects. Military experts warn that President Lee's comment has
given the North the green light to launch its Taepodong-2 missile,
enabling the North to comfortably make its provocations. The early
retreat by Seoul and Washington also makes it difficult for the
United Nations to impose strong sanctions on the North if a missile
is launched. The toleration of the North's nuclear and missile
development, it is feared, will torpedo the Nonproliferation Treaty
and the Missile Technology Control Regime."
"PRESIDENT'S REALISTIC REMARKS ON N. KOREAN AFFAIR"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (03/31): "President
Lee's statements during the interview with The Financial Times are
meaningful as the President publicly opposed a military response and
reaffirmed a moderate stance. Regarding the intention of Lee's
remarks, government officials have explained that, 'It sent a
message to North Korea that the South Korean government won't
participate in playing a leading hard-line role to worsen the
situation even if North Korea launches a satellite rocket.' Given
concerns that a satellite launch by North Korea would spark a chain
reaction and make the situation on the Korean Peninsula worse, we
welcomed this message."
"SEOUL SHOULD ENHANCE DIPLOMATIC COORDINATION ON NORTH KOREAN
MISSILE ISSUE"
Moderate Seoul Shinmun editorialized (03/31): "President Lee's
statement [that he opposes a military response to North Korea's
missile launch] can be seen as his efforts to dispel concerns about
a military response and to make sure that North Korea's rocket
launch will not become a stumbling block in the road to overcoming
the economic crisis... Seoul should focus its diplomatic efforts on
seeking cooperation with the U.S., Japan, China and Russia in
reminding the North that its rocket launch and saber-rattling will
never be beneficial to the communist state itself."
SEOUL 00000515 002 OF 002
Upcoming G-20 Summit
--------------
"BRIEF BUT SIGNIFICANT FIRST SUMMIT BETWEEN THE ROK AND THE U.S."
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized (03/31): "During the summit to
be held on the sidelines of the G-20 summit, the ROK and U.S.
Presidents should work together to come up with effective measures
against North Korea's launch of a long-range rocket. They should
make North Korea pay the price for its behavior in defiance of
international warnings, and at the same time, maintain the momentum
of dialogue and negotiations at the level of the Korean Peninsula,
such as the Six-Party Talks... We hope that the first meeting
between Presidents Lee and Obama will serve as a good opportunity to
build mutual trust, which is essential to resolving pending
bilateral issues."
STEPHENS