Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SEOUL855
2009-05-29 07:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
how-toVZCZCXRO5580 RR RUEHGH DE RUEHUL #0855 1490701 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 290701Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4516 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 8649 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 6077 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 9796 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5988 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 0783 RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 4492 RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 3467 RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 6661 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1035 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2372 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1446 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2055
UNCLAS SEOUL 000855
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC: DPRK
--------------
"NEW BLUEPRINT IS NEEDED FOR DEALING WITH NORTH KOREA"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (05/29): "The Obama
Administration has yet to produce a blueprint detailing its plans on
how to resolve the North Korean nuclear dilemma. ... If the U.S.
wants to succeed in resolving the North Korean nuclear problem, a
few elements must be considered when establishing the blueprint.
First, the USG must formulate a clear list of 'rewards' North Korea
would receive if it complies with the wishes of the international
community as well as a list of 'punitive measures' it would face if
it does not. ... Second, international cooperation must be
strengthened so that China, Russia, Japan, the ROK and other
countries can participate in such rewards and punitive measures.
The USG, in particular, must focus its diplomatic efforts on
ensuring that China and Russia do not sit on the sidelines if
punitive measures must be imposed on North Korea. ... Third, a
solution must be devised that would continue beyond the terms of the
current presidents of the U.S. and the ROK."
"DECLARATION OF THE DENUCLEARIZATION OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA; ISN'T
THE ROK A PUSHOVER?"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (05/29): "It is common
sense that nuclear weapons can be countered only by nuclear weapons.
The only thing we can rely on to counter North Korea's nuclear
weapons is the U.S. nuclear umbrella. However ... the U.S. already
withdrew all USFK nuclear weapons in order to support the Joint
(Inter-Korean) Declaration of the Denuclearization of the Korean
Peninsula in 1991. The declaration has ended up undermining the
credibility of the U.S. promise to offer nuclear umbrella. ... (This
newspaper) does not intend to argue that we should restore our
nuclear sovereignty... However, we need to address the current
unbalanced and irrational situation in which (the North)
continuously takes advantage of the ROK, which faithfully adheres to
the denuclearization declaration."
"UNREASONABLENESS IN HARD-LINE RESPONSES TO N. KOREA"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (05/29): "It is right
to criticize North Korea's provocation, but these hard-line
arguments focusing solely on generating hostility against North
Korea only make the situation worse. We urge the ROKG in particular
to act prudently."
STEPHENS