Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SEOUL839
2009-05-27 07:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
how-toVZCZCXRO3575 RR RUEHGH DE RUEHUL #0839 1470725 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 270725Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4461 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 8604 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 6030 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 9769 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5941 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 0738 RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 4447 RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 3420 RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 6616 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1010 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2347 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1421 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2030
UNCLAS SEOUL 000839
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
East Asia and Pacific: DPRK
--------------
"CHINA CAN ONLY GAIN FROM BEING TOUGH ON N. KOREA"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (05/27): "There is a limit to
getting North Korea to give up its nuclear program by relying on the
power of the U.S. alone. If the military option is taken off the
table, then the options in terms of punishment and pressure are
limited. This makes China's role all the more important, since
China is the North's largest trading partner and food and energy
provider. Unless China participates proactively, any international
sanctions against North Korea will not be successful, nor will any
UN Security Council resolution (on North Korea) be meaningful. ...
Beijing will not be able to ignore the fact that Japan, which has
been wary of China's growing military might, has used North Korea's
provocation as an excuse to bolster its own military power.
Deterring North Korea from triggering an anachronistic arms race
will also serve China's security interests."
"STANDING UP TO PROVOCATION"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorial
ized (05/27): "North Korea has gone beyond the international
community's tolerance and patience. Its provocative actions are
threatening peace and the global order. It is high time the
international community taught the North a lesson. ... Much of the
work of persuading the North will fall to China to exert its
influence over its long-time communist partner."
"'POST-PSI PARTICIPATION' SITUATION IS MORE IMPORTANT"
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized (05/27): "The prevailing
analysis is that North Korea is citing Washington and Seoul's
hostile policies as its excuse (for the latest provocations) but
that the North is taking such hard-line steps in order to shore up
its regime and achieve a 'powerful and prosperous nation.' This
move by the North will not change as long as the crisis of the
regime, such as leader Kim Jong-il's ill health, continues.
Therefore, this is not the time to engage in a lengthy dispute over
the ROK's PSI participation, but instead it is time to respond
resolutely to North Korea's exaggerated protests and threats, while
keeping tensions from escalating into a crisis."
"FULL PARTICIPATION IN PSI AND WORSENING INTER-KOREAN RELATIONS"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (05/27): "It is
appropriate to hold North Korea accountable for conducting a second
nuclear test following its long-range rocket launch. ... However,
the most critical thing to do now is to find a solution. North
Korea's second nuclear test indicates that it is moving closer to
becoming a fully-fledged nuclear-armed state. North Korea's rise as
a nuclear state will create a tense situation, threatening regional
security and peace. Historically, North Korea's nuclear
capabilities have grown stronger during times of pressure and
sanctions and weaker during times of dialogue and negotiations. ...
Even if one gets angry at North Korea's provocations, dialogue
remains the most realistic option."
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
--------------
"CHINA CAN ONLY GAIN FROM BEING TOUGH ON N. KOREA"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (05/27): "There is a limit to
getting North Korea to give up its nuclear program by relying on the
power of the U.S. alone. If the military option is taken off the
table, then the options in terms of punishment and pressure are
limited. This makes China's role all the more important, since
China is the North's largest trading partner and food and energy
provider. Unless China participates proactively, any international
sanctions against North Korea will not be successful, nor will any
UN Security Council resolution (on North Korea) be meaningful. ...
Beijing will not be able to ignore the fact that Japan, which has
been wary of China's growing military might, has used North Korea's
provocation as an excuse to bolster its own military power.
Deterring North Korea from triggering an anachronistic arms race
will also serve China's security interests."
"STANDING UP TO PROVOCATION"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorial
ized (05/27): "North Korea has gone beyond the international
community's tolerance and patience. Its provocative actions are
threatening peace and the global order. It is high time the
international community taught the North a lesson. ... Much of the
work of persuading the North will fall to China to exert its
influence over its long-time communist partner."
"'POST-PSI PARTICIPATION' SITUATION IS MORE IMPORTANT"
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized (05/27): "The prevailing
analysis is that North Korea is citing Washington and Seoul's
hostile policies as its excuse (for the latest provocations) but
that the North is taking such hard-line steps in order to shore up
its regime and achieve a 'powerful and prosperous nation.' This
move by the North will not change as long as the crisis of the
regime, such as leader Kim Jong-il's ill health, continues.
Therefore, this is not the time to engage in a lengthy dispute over
the ROK's PSI participation, but instead it is time to respond
resolutely to North Korea's exaggerated protests and threats, while
keeping tensions from escalating into a crisis."
"FULL PARTICIPATION IN PSI AND WORSENING INTER-KOREAN RELATIONS"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (05/27): "It is
appropriate to hold North Korea accountable for conducting a second
nuclear test following its long-range rocket launch. ... However,
the most critical thing to do now is to find a solution. North
Korea's second nuclear test indicates that it is moving closer to
becoming a fully-fledged nuclear-armed state. North Korea's rise as
a nuclear state will create a tense situation, threatening regional
security and peace. Historically, North Korea's nuclear
capabilities have grown stronger during times of pressure and
sanctions and weaker during times of dialogue and negotiations. ...
Even if one gets angry at North Korea's provocations, dialogue
remains the most realistic option."
STEPHENS