Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SEOUL551
2009-04-06 07:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SEOUL 000551
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
East Asia and Pacific: DPRK, missile launch
--------------
"NORTH KOREA'S MISSILE CAPACITY IS A SERIOUS THREAT"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (04/06): "Even if North Korea
failed to put a satellite into orbit, this launch demonstrated that
North Korea's ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) capability
has reached a certain level. ... North Korea already claimed to have
succeeded in conducting a nuclear test in 2006... The ROK, by
contrast, has given up its nuclear armament capability under the
Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) and is restrained by the
Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) from developing missiles
with the range of more than 300km and payload of more than 500kg.
In other words, the strategic imbalance between the two Koreas in
nuclear weapons and missiles is becoming increasingly serious. ...
The ROKG, while preparing for sanctions against North Korea's
missile launch and the ensuing negotiations with the North in the
short term, should come up with a fundamental strategy how to
protect national security under the threat of a North Korea armed
with nuclear and long-range missile capabilities."
"NORTH KOREA SHOULD BE PUNISHED FOR ROCKET LAUNCH"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (04/06): "Since the U.S.
is expressing willingness to have dialogue with North Korea, in
addition to taking a tough response (to the rocket launch),the U.S.
is expected to have contact with the North sometime. The problem is
that even if bilateral talks are held between the two countries, no
one knows when the North will get what it wants. In fact, most of
the economic aid to the North comes from the ROK and Japan. ...
The prospect for an accelerated arms race in North East Asia will
also adversely affect North Korea. Japan, which has viewed the
North's rocket launch as a good opportunity to build up its military
power, will set out to increase its military spending, inevitably
prompting China to respond in the same way... In this case, it is
evident that China would not condone North Korea's position as much
as it does now. The North's missile launch might lift its 'national
status' but will ultimately not benefit the country."
"VIOLATING NORTH KOREA'S OWN INTERESTS"
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized (04/06): "North Korea will
not stop here. Now that it has a nuclear test and rocket launch
under its belt, it is likely to move on to developing a nuclear
warhead small enough to be carried by a missile. A second nuclear
test is also probable. ... The first step in resolving the security
threat triggered by Pyongyang's provocation is for the international
community to reinforce the principle of 'no reward for bad
behavior.' It is regrettable that China and Russia simply urged
calm and controlled responses immediately after yesterday's launch
without citing the provocation's violation of Resolution 1718. ...
Their inept action could even invite further provocations by
Pyongyang. The U.N. Security Council, which will hold a meeting
today, must draft specific measures to make it clear to the North
that its provocations will run counter to its interests. "
"NORTH KOREA SHOULD PAY THE PRICE FOR ROCKET LAUNCH"
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized (04/06): "The international
community needs to refrain from overreacting to the North's rocket
launch. The international community should make sure that North
Korea pays a price for its rocket launch while keeping the Six-Party
Talks on track and continuing to pursue talks. North Korea's
missile issue should be eventually resolved through dialogue and
negotiations. Given this, it is noteworthy that President Obama
reiterated that the Six-Party Talks, aside from the rocket launch,
should be an important framework for denuclearizing and easing
tensions on the Korean Peninsula and discussing other issues related
to the Korean Peninsula. "
SEOUL 00000551 002 OF 002
"MINIMIZING AFTEREFFECTS OF NORTH KOREA'S LAUNCH"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (04/06): "There are
also views that this launch should not be taken as an act of
provocation by North Korea but rather be used as a catalyst for
strengthening negotiations on (North Korea's) nuclear weapons and
missiles. The unreasonable pursuit of sanctions in this situation
could get us away from the original intention of containing a
threat, making the situation much worse. Such a move might even
undermine the goal of denuclearizing and building peace on the
Korean Peninsula. North Korea's launch smacks strongly of an
attempt to secure internal unity ahead of the first session of its
12th Supreme People's Assembly. This means that North Korea's
system is so weak that its leaders feel they must use this launch to
demonstrate their power to their people. An immoderate response
from related nations could fan this feeling of crisis within North
Korea's leadership and send the situation spinning in the wrong
direction."
STEPHENS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
East Asia and Pacific: DPRK, missile launch
--------------
"NORTH KOREA'S MISSILE CAPACITY IS A SERIOUS THREAT"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (04/06): "Even if North Korea
failed to put a satellite into orbit, this launch demonstrated that
North Korea's ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) capability
has reached a certain level. ... North Korea already claimed to have
succeeded in conducting a nuclear test in 2006... The ROK, by
contrast, has given up its nuclear armament capability under the
Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) and is restrained by the
Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) from developing missiles
with the range of more than 300km and payload of more than 500kg.
In other words, the strategic imbalance between the two Koreas in
nuclear weapons and missiles is becoming increasingly serious. ...
The ROKG, while preparing for sanctions against North Korea's
missile launch and the ensuing negotiations with the North in the
short term, should come up with a fundamental strategy how to
protect national security under the threat of a North Korea armed
with nuclear and long-range missile capabilities."
"NORTH KOREA SHOULD BE PUNISHED FOR ROCKET LAUNCH"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (04/06): "Since the U.S.
is expressing willingness to have dialogue with North Korea, in
addition to taking a tough response (to the rocket launch),the U.S.
is expected to have contact with the North sometime. The problem is
that even if bilateral talks are held between the two countries, no
one knows when the North will get what it wants. In fact, most of
the economic aid to the North comes from the ROK and Japan. ...
The prospect for an accelerated arms race in North East Asia will
also adversely affect North Korea. Japan, which has viewed the
North's rocket launch as a good opportunity to build up its military
power, will set out to increase its military spending, inevitably
prompting China to respond in the same way... In this case, it is
evident that China would not condone North Korea's position as much
as it does now. The North's missile launch might lift its 'national
status' but will ultimately not benefit the country."
"VIOLATING NORTH KOREA'S OWN INTERESTS"
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized (04/06): "North Korea will
not stop here. Now that it has a nuclear test and rocket launch
under its belt, it is likely to move on to developing a nuclear
warhead small enough to be carried by a missile. A second nuclear
test is also probable. ... The first step in resolving the security
threat triggered by Pyongyang's provocation is for the international
community to reinforce the principle of 'no reward for bad
behavior.' It is regrettable that China and Russia simply urged
calm and controlled responses immediately after yesterday's launch
without citing the provocation's violation of Resolution 1718. ...
Their inept action could even invite further provocations by
Pyongyang. The U.N. Security Council, which will hold a meeting
today, must draft specific measures to make it clear to the North
that its provocations will run counter to its interests. "
"NORTH KOREA SHOULD PAY THE PRICE FOR ROCKET LAUNCH"
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized (04/06): "The international
community needs to refrain from overreacting to the North's rocket
launch. The international community should make sure that North
Korea pays a price for its rocket launch while keeping the Six-Party
Talks on track and continuing to pursue talks. North Korea's
missile issue should be eventually resolved through dialogue and
negotiations. Given this, it is noteworthy that President Obama
reiterated that the Six-Party Talks, aside from the rocket launch,
should be an important framework for denuclearizing and easing
tensions on the Korean Peninsula and discussing other issues related
to the Korean Peninsula. "
SEOUL 00000551 002 OF 002
"MINIMIZING AFTEREFFECTS OF NORTH KOREA'S LAUNCH"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (04/06): "There are
also views that this launch should not be taken as an act of
provocation by North Korea but rather be used as a catalyst for
strengthening negotiations on (North Korea's) nuclear weapons and
missiles. The unreasonable pursuit of sanctions in this situation
could get us away from the original intention of containing a
threat, making the situation much worse. Such a move might even
undermine the goal of denuclearizing and building peace on the
Korean Peninsula. North Korea's launch smacks strongly of an
attempt to secure internal unity ahead of the first session of its
12th Supreme People's Assembly. This means that North Korea's
system is so weak that its leaders feel they must use this launch to
demonstrate their power to their people. An immoderate response
from related nations could fan this feeling of crisis within North
Korea's leadership and send the situation spinning in the wrong
direction."
STEPHENS