Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SEOUL673
2009-04-27 07:19:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
how-toVZCZCXRO9480 RR RUEHGH DE RUEHUL #0673 1170719 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 270719Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4149 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 8484 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 5867 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 9639 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5775 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 0626 RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 4296 RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 3294 RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 6493 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0906 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2244 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1318 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1927
UNCLAS SEOUL 000673
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
East Asia and Pacific: DPRK
"NORTH KOREA MUST FACE THE NEW REALITY"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (04/27): "To reprocess spent
fuel rods, North Korea has begun cleaning up radiation chemistry
laboratories at the Yongbyon plant, which had been closed down for
some time. If North Korea activates these facilities and
reprocesses the remaining spent fuel rods, it can obtain up to 7 kg
of plutonium in three to four months. North Korea already has
around 30 kg of plutonium. ... At this rate, there is a strong
possibility that North Korea may conduct a second nuclear test
around the second half of this year. However, the North's nuclear
provocation, as evidenced during its recent rocket launch, will only
deepen its international isolation and heighten international
sanctions against it. ... The North Korean regime should come to
terms with this reality and immediately return to the negotiation
table."
"WE SHOULD RESOLUTELY DEAL WITH NORTH KOREA'S STEPPED-UP NUCLEAR
THREATS"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (04/27): "What matters
now is how the U.S. and the ROK will respond. The answer lies in
Secretary Clinton's remark at a recent House hearing that (the U.S.)
should not give in to the kind of back-and-forth, unpredictable
behavior of the North Korean regime. The U.S. should keep in mind
that unless these words are put into practice as in the past, North
Korea's bad behavior will repeat itself. "
"NORTH KOREA'S NUCLEAR DEVELOPMENT TO MAINTAIN ITS REGIME IS A
DISASTER FOR NORTH KOREANS"
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized (04/27): "The quid pro quo
for North Korea abandoning its nuclear programs is enormous. In
addition to the economic rewards promised by the Six-Party nations,
the international community will immediately provide food aid for
starving North Korean citizens ... Pyongyang's persistent pursuit of
nuclear programs is a disaster that deprives North Koreans of such
opportunities. ... The international community should stand united
to bring change to the North through applying effective pressure.
To this end, efforts by China and Russia, nations that have
long-maintained friendly ties with the North, are critical. In
addition to persuading the Kim Jong-il regime to follow in their
footsteps through seeking reform and openness, the two nations
should also join international efforts to pressure the North."
"NORTH KOREA'S NUCLEAR ISSUE BECOMING MORE COMPLICATED AMID
CONFRONTATION AND INDIFFERENCE"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (04/27): "The U.S. is
also to blame for this situation because it has procrastinated even
after deciding on the direction of North Korea policy that calls for
a comprehensive resolution and the strengthening of direct
negotiations. Considering the Obama Administration's delay in
forming its Korean Peninsula team - the official nomination of Kurt
Campbell as Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs
only came recently - the U.S. Administration is moving too slowly.
... The U.S. should rapidly conclude its review of North Korea
policy and come forward to establish a new negotiation framework
that combines (bilateral) talks with North Korea and the Six-Party
Talks."
STEPHENS