SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SEOUL 000559 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 TECHNOLOGY IS A THREAT TO THE SOUTH" Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (04/07): "To prevent further provocations by North Korea, the international community must place sanctions on the communist state. The UN Security Council discussed the issue on April 5 but failed to reach agreement. ... Would China take this casual attitude if the ROK and Japan developed nuclear weapons and missiles which targeted it? China wants to become a global power comparable to the U.S. If China does nothing about North Korea's nuclear and missile provocations that violate international regulations, it only breeds doubt in the international community about China's leadership." "CHINA AND RUSSIA SHOULD ALSO BE IN STEP WITH INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO SANCTION NORTH KOREA" Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (04/07): "We wonder if China and Russia intend to bear responsibility for any future dangers that could be triggered by their failure to punish North Korea. ... Even if the North attempted to launch a satellite, the same technology can clearly be used to launch a ballistic missile. Despite this realization, China and Russia (continue to) stress taking a fair and cautious reaction based only on North Korea's claims. ... It is incongruous to turn a blind eye to North Korea's provocations while hoping for stability and peace in Northeast Asia. If China and Russia deeply consider what a balanced reaction is, there is no way they could object to the proposed use of UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea. " "ALTHOUGH IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT FOR THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL TO AGREE TO SANCTIONS ON NORTH KOREA..." Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized (04/07): "What is important now is not only to send a clear message that North Korea will be punished for its provocative behavior, but also to maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations such as the Six-Party Talks. In particular, we should caution against a reemergence of a Cold-War confrontational structure between the ROK, the U.S. and Japan on one side and North Korea, China and Russia on the other." "NORTH KOREA WILL DEMAND BROADER NEGOTIATIONS WITH U.S." Senior Columnist Kim Young-hie observed in right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo (04/07): "North Korea, which flaunted its long-range ballistic missile capabilities, will now demand from the U.S., high-level nuclear and missile talks within a broader framework. The North may demand over 1 billion dollars a year in return for a missile moratorium. Should the Six-Party Talks resume, North Korea may try to hold sway in the talks ... dragging its feet in the denuclearization process. Furthermore, there is a possibility that North Korea may conduct an additional nuclear test or develop intercontinental ballistic missiles. A post- April 5 (missile launch) North Korea will not be the same as before the launch. ... In the end, the fundamental way to resolve the current situation is by resuming the Six-Party Talks and dialogue between the two Koreas and between North Korea and the U.S." STEPHENS