SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SEOUL 000937 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC: DPRK -------------- "THE KIM JONG-IL REGIME HAS TURNED ITS BACK ON THE WORLD AND OPTED FOR BRINKMANSHIP TACTICS" Conservative Dong-a Ilbo (06/15): "The announcement by the North Korean Foreign Ministry is a grave provocation that goes beyond 'another red line.' Through this announcement, North Korea is admitting or claiming that suspicion over its uranium enrichment by the U.S. in October 2002 is true. ... Therefore, this seems to constitute another reason why the international community should impose stronger sanctions against North Korea in order to curb the country's development and proliferation of its nuclear program. ... To block North Korea's reckless provocations, the international community should thoroughly deliver on the UN Security Council Resolution and punish North Korea for its transgressions." "UNITY IS NEEDED TO DEAL WITH N. KOREAN NUCLEAR THREAT" Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (06/15): "During the June 16 ROK-U.S. summit in Washington, President Lee Myung-bak will reportedly propose five-way talks that will exclude North Korea. However, unless China abandons its policy of putting North Korea's regime survival before its denuclearization, any kind of UN resolution or five-party agreement will be useless." "NORTH KOREA'S URANIUM ENRICHMENT WILL NEVER BE ALLOWED" Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized (06/15): "Some observers believe that North Korea announced its uranium enrichment plan to the world instead of covertly pursuing it because of its intention to negotiate with the U.S. ... If history is any guide, sanctions, pressure and further isolation are not enough to resolve a problem. The international community, while imposing sanctions against North Korea, should provide a way-out through which the North can move closer toward the international community." "MIXING CARROTS WITH STICKS" Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (06/13): "We believe it is appropriate for the UN Security Council to adopt the resolution because it reveals international society's determined will to deter North Korea from its nuclear ambitions. We expect all UN member states to participate in carrying out the resolution. Particularly, the participation of China, a country that has strong influence over North Korea politically and economically, is absolutely necessary. The ROKG must try to persuade China." ROK-U.S. Summit -------------- "SOLIDIFYING U.S. ALLIANCE" Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (06/15): "The two leaders have to reaffirm the principle of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula while at the same time dispelling anxiety on the Korean peninsula and its neighboring countries ... President Lee should draw full-fledged support from the U.S. president and put forth the big picture of a peaceful Korean peninsula firmly rooted in democracy and a market economy which presents no security threat to its neighbors." "ROK-U.S. SUMMIT SHOULD CREATE A FRAMEWORK FOR PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF NUCLEAR ISSUE" Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (06/15): "By escalating nuclear tensions, North Korea seems to intend to bring the U.S. to the bilateral bargaining table. ... The fact that even China and Russia approved the UNSC resolution against North Korea suggests SEOUL 00000937 002 OF 002 that North Korea's strategy of making provocations is not receiving international support. If the North really wants to talk with the U.S., it should look at the situation with a cool head." STANTON