Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SEOUL526
2009-04-01 07:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
how-toVZCZCXRO6064 RR RUEHGH DE RUEHUL #0526 0910736 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 010736Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3863 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 8361 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 5669 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 9466 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5574 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 0508 RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 4150 RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 3147 RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 6368 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0767 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2129 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1177 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1793
UNCLAS SEOUL 000526
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
North Korea
--------------
"N. Korea Must Show It Is Not a Hostage-Taker"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (04/01): "It is difficult to
assess North Korea's motive in detaining and investigating foreign
civilians and even seeking to put them on trial at a sensitive time
when it is planning to launch a rocket and faces possible UN
Security Council sanctions. North Korea should handle foreign
detainees according to international norms. This would improve the
North's image and allow North Korea to avoid criticism that it is
seeking political gains by capitalizing on the hostage taking.
President Lee Myung-bak said he intends to keep the Kaesong
Industrial Complex open to maintain a window of communication with
North Korea. But if the basic safety of South Korean citizens
cannot even be guaranteed, the Kaesong Industrial Complex loses all
rationale."
G-20 Summit
--------------
"Political Economics of G20 Summit"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (04/01): "The G20
financial summit, which will be held on March 2 in London, is not
likely to draw consensus from participating countries. The U.S.
calls for greater budget spending for stimulating the economy while
the European countries argue for revamping the financial system.
Also, conflicts between the developed countries and emerging
economies have surfaced. China's assertion that the International
Monetary Fund (IMF)'s Special Drawing Rights (SDR) should replace
U.S. dollars as a key currency won support from Brazil and Russia.
Participating countries differ in every issue. It seems inevitable
that the G20 summit will opt for a vague compromise over a clear-cut
solution. In this situation, President Lee Myung-bak sees the G20
summit as a good opportunity to enhance the ROK's status.
STEPHENS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
North Korea
--------------
"N. Korea Must Show It Is Not a Hostage-Taker"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (04/01): "It is difficult to
assess North Korea's motive in detaining and investigating foreign
civilians and even seeking to put them on trial at a sensitive time
when it is planning to launch a rocket and faces possible UN
Security Council sanctions. North Korea should handle foreign
detainees according to international norms. This would improve the
North's image and allow North Korea to avoid criticism that it is
seeking political gains by capitalizing on the hostage taking.
President Lee Myung-bak said he intends to keep the Kaesong
Industrial Complex open to maintain a window of communication with
North Korea. But if the basic safety of South Korean citizens
cannot even be guaranteed, the Kaesong Industrial Complex loses all
rationale."
G-20 Summit
--------------
"Political Economics of G20 Summit"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (04/01): "The G20
financial summit, which will be held on March 2 in London, is not
likely to draw consensus from participating countries. The U.S.
calls for greater budget spending for stimulating the economy while
the European countries argue for revamping the financial system.
Also, conflicts between the developed countries and emerging
economies have surfaced. China's assertion that the International
Monetary Fund (IMF)'s Special Drawing Rights (SDR) should replace
U.S. dollars as a key currency won support from Brazil and Russia.
Participating countries differ in every issue. It seems inevitable
that the G20 summit will opt for a vague compromise over a clear-cut
solution. In this situation, President Lee Myung-bak sees the G20
summit as a good opportunity to enhance the ROK's status.
STEPHENS