Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SEOUL953
2009-06-16 07:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
how-toVZCZCXRO9592 RR RUEHGH DE RUEHUL #0953/01 1670709 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 160709Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4714 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 8736 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 6189 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 9885 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6099 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 0870 RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 4585 RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 3565 RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 6751 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1119 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2455 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1529 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2138
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SEOUL 000953
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 00000953 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
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 00000953 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