Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SEOUL541
2009-04-03 07:19:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SEOUL 000541
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
G20 Summit: ROK-U.S Summit
--------------
"A "Stern and Unified" Message from Lee and Obama"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorial (04/03): "The ROK and the U.S.
pledged to push for a "stern and unified" international response
against North Korea. However, actually imposing UN sanctions on
North Korea could be a daunting task given China and Russia's
lukewarm attitude. The two countries should make sure that the UN
Security Council sanctions North Korea for its rocket launch. Also,
the ROK and the U.S. should explore every possible avenue to block
North Korea's further provocations following its missile launch."
"Lee and Obama Summit Should Go Beyond Diplomatic Rhetoric"
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorial (04/03): "In the first summit
between President Lee Myung-bak and U.S. President Barack Obama, the
two leaders reaffirmed the strong alliance and pledged to cooperate
on the North Korean rocket launch and KORUS FTA issues. The two
leaders should deliver on the statements that they made during the
summit. Otherwise, these statements will end up becoming empty
diplomatic rhetoric."
"ROK and U.S. Summit Reaffirms Joint Response to North Korea's
Rocket Launch"
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorial (04/03): "As North Korea has begun
fueling the rocket despite strong warnings from the international
community, the nation's imminent rocket launch has almost become a
reality. The ROK and U.S. Presidents reaffirmed that North Korea's
rocket launch would violate UN Security Council Resolution 1718 and
agreed to closely cooperate to prepare a stern response.
Alternative means, rather than military action, could be more
effective at putting pressure on the North."
"A Realistic Response to North Korea"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorial (04/03): "A Blue House
official announced that during a bilateral summit, President Lee
Myung-bak and U.S. President Barack Obama agreed to cooperate on the
complete and verifiable dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear
programs. They also agreed to put forth a "strict and united"
response should the North launch a long-range missile, asserting
that the international community also needs to put forth a "strict
and united" response. One high-ranking government official
explained that the leaders would see to it that the United Nations
Security Council discusses any missile launch, and that they would
continue to work for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks. They
sought this understanding because China and Russia oppose UN
sanctions and the U.S. wants to place greater weight on resolving
the issue of North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities through
dialogue. This joint response, then, is a realistic one."
"ROK and U.S. Summit Reaffirms Cooperation on North Korean Rocket
Launch and KORUS FTA Issues"
Moderate Seoul Shinmun editorial (04/03): "During his summit with
President Lee, President Obama said that he is "preparing a UN
Security Council resolution sanctioning North Korea." Because this
is the first time that President Obama has directly mentioned a
North Korea-related matter since taking office, we can attribute a
fair amount of political weight to it. President Obama's statement
is expected to put considerable pressure on the North. During the
summit, President Obama reaffirmed the strength of the ROK-U.S.
alliance by stating that the ROK is "one of America's closest allies
and greatest friends." We hope that the two leaders will build upon
this initial meeting and further solidify the ROK-U.S. alliance at
the Washington summit in June."
SEOUL 00000541 002 OF 002
STEPHENS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
G20 Summit: ROK-U.S Summit
--------------
"A "Stern and Unified" Message from Lee and Obama"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorial (04/03): "The ROK and the U.S.
pledged to push for a "stern and unified" international response
against North Korea. However, actually imposing UN sanctions on
North Korea could be a daunting task given China and Russia's
lukewarm attitude. The two countries should make sure that the UN
Security Council sanctions North Korea for its rocket launch. Also,
the ROK and the U.S. should explore every possible avenue to block
North Korea's further provocations following its missile launch."
"Lee and Obama Summit Should Go Beyond Diplomatic Rhetoric"
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorial (04/03): "In the first summit
between President Lee Myung-bak and U.S. President Barack Obama, the
two leaders reaffirmed the strong alliance and pledged to cooperate
on the North Korean rocket launch and KORUS FTA issues. The two
leaders should deliver on the statements that they made during the
summit. Otherwise, these statements will end up becoming empty
diplomatic rhetoric."
"ROK and U.S. Summit Reaffirms Joint Response to North Korea's
Rocket Launch"
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorial (04/03): "As North Korea has begun
fueling the rocket despite strong warnings from the international
community, the nation's imminent rocket launch has almost become a
reality. The ROK and U.S. Presidents reaffirmed that North Korea's
rocket launch would violate UN Security Council Resolution 1718 and
agreed to closely cooperate to prepare a stern response.
Alternative means, rather than military action, could be more
effective at putting pressure on the North."
"A Realistic Response to North Korea"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorial (04/03): "A Blue House
official announced that during a bilateral summit, President Lee
Myung-bak and U.S. President Barack Obama agreed to cooperate on the
complete and verifiable dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear
programs. They also agreed to put forth a "strict and united"
response should the North launch a long-range missile, asserting
that the international community also needs to put forth a "strict
and united" response. One high-ranking government official
explained that the leaders would see to it that the United Nations
Security Council discusses any missile launch, and that they would
continue to work for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks. They
sought this understanding because China and Russia oppose UN
sanctions and the U.S. wants to place greater weight on resolving
the issue of North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities through
dialogue. This joint response, then, is a realistic one."
"ROK and U.S. Summit Reaffirms Cooperation on North Korean Rocket
Launch and KORUS FTA Issues"
Moderate Seoul Shinmun editorial (04/03): "During his summit with
President Lee, President Obama said that he is "preparing a UN
Security Council resolution sanctioning North Korea." Because this
is the first time that President Obama has directly mentioned a
North Korea-related matter since taking office, we can attribute a
fair amount of political weight to it. President Obama's statement
is expected to put considerable pressure on the North. During the
summit, President Obama reaffirmed the strength of the ROK-U.S.
alliance by stating that the ROK is "one of America's closest allies
and greatest friends." We hope that the two leaders will build upon
this initial meeting and further solidify the ROK-U.S. alliance at
the Washington summit in June."
SEOUL 00000541 002 OF 002
STEPHENS