Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SEOUL617
2009-04-15 23:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
how-toVZCZCXRO0981 RR RUEHGH DE RUEHUL #0617 1052322 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 152322Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4037 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 8440 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 5788 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 9564 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5697 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 0582 RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 4235 RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 3234 RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 6447 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0854 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2199 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1263 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1879
UNCLAS SEOUL 000617
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
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"REIGNITING NUCLEAR ISSUE"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (04/15): "The North's
nuclear and missile program endangers world peace and can be
regarded as an international criminal act rather than a defense of
its sovereignty. How can Pyongyang talk of sovereignty infringement
when it poses such danger to the international community? We may
have to take up full membership in the Proliferation Security
Initiative... We need some kind of defense mechanism to deter the
North from its constant provocation."
"NORTH KOREA PURSUING ITS OWN DESTRUCTION"
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized (04/15): "North Korea is
gravely mistaken. The president's statement contains not only the
council's determination to not condone the North's provocation, but
also concrete measures to implement sanctions on the North. The
world must show the North this time that brinkmanship, a tactic
Pyongyang employs whenever driven into a corner, is no longer
effective."
"NORTH KOREA SAYS THERE WILL BE NO MORE SIX-PARTY TALKS"
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized (04/15): "In this situation, a
confusing debate over (North Korea) policy or hasty reaction would
not be beneficial. We should wait for North Korea to calm down and
change (its attitude),while keeping the door of dialogue open."
"HOW TO DEAL WITH NORTH KOREA'S INCREASING PROVOCATION"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (04/15): "International
pressure on North Korea can succeed only with the participation of
China, which holds the lifeline supporting the North's leadership.
That can only be possible if measures against North Korea are
implemented at a level where China can participate openly - or at
least implicitly agree to them. But the diplomacy pursued by South
Korea and the U.S. has stumbled at this stage. As a result,
sanctions against North Korea are failing to change the country's
attitude. "
"THE PROBLEMATIC DECISIONS FROM BOTH KOREAS "
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (04/15): "North Korea
is not hiding its intention to focus on bilateral talks with the
U.S., rather than on the Six-Party Talks. This intention was
revealed when the North specifically pointed to Japan, not the U.S.,
and the UN presidential statement, as reasons to boycott the
Six-Party Talks... Through escalating tensions, North Korea intends
to force direct negotiations with the U.S. To manage the situation
in a stable way and put the Six-Party Talks back on the right track,
a united effort by Six-Party countries is essential."
STEPHENS