Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SEOUL827
2009-05-26 07:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
how-toVZCZCXRO2456 RR RUEHGH DE RUEHUL #0827 1460732 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 260732Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4445 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 8603 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 6023 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 9766 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5934 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 0736 RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 4440 RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 3417 RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 6613 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1009 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2346 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1420 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2029
UNCLAS SEOUL 000827
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
NORTH KOREA: NUCLEAR TEST
--------------
"NEW CRISIS, CALM RESPONSE"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (05/26): "The fact that
North Korea has become a nuclear state poses a grave threat to our
national security. We need to reexamine and reorganize our security
measures immediately. Although our conventional weapons are much
stronger than North Korea's, they are useless before a nuclear
weapon. Since we are not in a position to possess nuclear weapons
immediately, we have no choice but to entirely depend on the U.S.
nuclear umbrella."
"S. KOREA MAY NEED ITS OWN DETERRENT"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (05/26): "Although the ROK is
under desperate threat from North Korea's possession of nuclear
weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles, there is no way for
the ROK to take substantial countermeasures against North Korea's
nuclear and missile threats because Seoul is bound by the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Missile Technology Control Regime, and
the ROK-U.S. Memorandum of Understanding on missiles. ... Under
North Korea's nuclear and missile threat, the ROK now needs
"deterrence for self-defense."
"REAFFIRMING EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE N. KOREA NUCLEAR ISSUE"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (05/26): "Although the
Barack Obama Administration has adopted a big picture approach
favoring comprehensive direct negotiations with North Korea, it has
dragged its feet over coming up with specific measures. ... It is
true that the U.S.'s relaxed attitude contributed to aggravating the
situation. ... In particular, by snubbing North Korea with "benign
neglect," many U.S. officials did not try to prevent the nuclear
test but made it an established fact."
"IS N. KOREA DETERMINED TO LIVE WITH NUKES?"
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized (05/26): "Pyongyang seems to
believe that it can maintain its authoritarian system with nuclear
weapons. But North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and his ruling elite
must realize that pouring money into nuclear weapons and missile
development without caring for their hungry people will lead to
their country collapsing from internal factors. "
STEPHENS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
NORTH KOREA: NUCLEAR TEST
--------------
"NEW CRISIS, CALM RESPONSE"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (05/26): "The fact that
North Korea has become a nuclear state poses a grave threat to our
national security. We need to reexamine and reorganize our security
measures immediately. Although our conventional weapons are much
stronger than North Korea's, they are useless before a nuclear
weapon. Since we are not in a position to possess nuclear weapons
immediately, we have no choice but to entirely depend on the U.S.
nuclear umbrella."
"S. KOREA MAY NEED ITS OWN DETERRENT"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (05/26): "Although the ROK is
under desperate threat from North Korea's possession of nuclear
weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles, there is no way for
the ROK to take substantial countermeasures against North Korea's
nuclear and missile threats because Seoul is bound by the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Missile Technology Control Regime, and
the ROK-U.S. Memorandum of Understanding on missiles. ... Under
North Korea's nuclear and missile threat, the ROK now needs
"deterrence for self-defense."
"REAFFIRMING EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE N. KOREA NUCLEAR ISSUE"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (05/26): "Although the
Barack Obama Administration has adopted a big picture approach
favoring comprehensive direct negotiations with North Korea, it has
dragged its feet over coming up with specific measures. ... It is
true that the U.S.'s relaxed attitude contributed to aggravating the
situation. ... In particular, by snubbing North Korea with "benign
neglect," many U.S. officials did not try to prevent the nuclear
test but made it an established fact."
"IS N. KOREA DETERMINED TO LIVE WITH NUKES?"
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized (05/26): "Pyongyang seems to
believe that it can maintain its authoritarian system with nuclear
weapons. But North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and his ruling elite
must realize that pouring money into nuclear weapons and missile
development without caring for their hungry people will lead to
their country collapsing from internal factors. "
STEPHENS