SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; June 17, 2009

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 SEOUL 000965 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KS US SUBJECT: SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; June 17, 2009 TOP HEADLINES -------------- Chosun Ilbo, All TVs, OhmyNews President Lee: "Strong ROK-U.S. Cooperation Will Deter War" President Obama: "(We) Will Break Past Pattern of Rewarding ¶N. Korea's Bad Behavior" JoongAng Ilbo, Dong-a Ilbo Obama: "(U.S.) will Fulfill Its Commitment to Defend ROK through All Means Necessary" Hankook Ilbo, Seoul Shinmun ROK-U.S. Relations to Develop into Comprehensive, Strategic Alliance Hankyoreh Shinmun ROK, U.S. Agree Not to Allow Nuclear-Armed N. Korea.... to Explore Ways to Bring N. Korea Back to Dialogue Segye Ilbo Obama, Lee Agree to Seek Complete Denuclearization of N. Korea; Obama Pledges Nuclear Umbrella for ROK DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS -------------- Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Barack Obama, in a June 16 summit at the White House, adopted a "joint vision for the ROK-U.S. alliance," which includes a written guarantee on "extended deterrence" that puts the ROK under the U.S. nuclear umbrella and provides conventional weapons (All The two leaders also agreed not to allow a nuclear-armed North Korea and to strengthen cooperation with relevant countries to make North Korea clearly realize that its bad behavior will no longer be rewarded and will come at a price. (All) Furthermore, the two leaders agreed to begin efforts to ratify the KORUS FTA at an appropriate time. (All) INTERNATIONAL NEWS -------------- According to an ROKG source, a special North Korean train, which transported an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)-class missile to a launch site in Tongchang-ri, North Pyongan Province in May, recently moved from a missile research center in Pyongyang to another launch site in Musudan-ri, North Hamgyong Province. (Chosun) ROK and U.S. authorities speculate that the North may have transported a second ICBM-class missile to the Musudan-ri launch site. (Chosun) North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said yesterday that the two U.S. journalists who were jailed last week in North Korea for 12 years of "reform through labor" admitted that "what they did were criminal acts that were committed and prompted by the political motive to isolate and stifle the socialist system of North Korea." (Chosun, Dong-a, Hankook, Hankyoreh, Segye, Seoul, all TVs, VoiceofPeople) 
 According to the June 16 edition of The New York Times, President Obama will soon order the Navy to hail and request permission to inspect North Korean ships at sea suspected of carrying arms or nuclear technology, but the Navy will not board them by force. (JoongAng, Hankook, Hankyoreh, Seoul) SEOUL 00000965 002 OF 009 U.S. intelligence officially concluded yesterday that North Korea "probably conducted" a nuclear test that yielded "a few kilotons" on May 25. This explosive power is much smaller than that of the atomic bomb dropped on Japan's Nagasaki during World War II, which had the force of some 20 kilotons. (JoongAng, Segye) The U.S. Congress adopted a resolution calling on North Korea to "stop any hostile rhetoric and activity toward the ROK and to engage in mutual dialogue to enhance inter-Korean relations." (JoongAng, Segye, Seoul) MEDIA ANALYSIS -------------- U.S-ROK Summit Meeting -------------- The ROK media gave above-the-fold front-page play to the June 16 summit in Washington between Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Barack Obama. The media reported that the two leaders agreed not to allow a nuclear-armed North Korea and to strengthen cooperation with relevant countries to make North Korea clearly realize that its bad behavior will no longer be rewarded and will come at a price. According to media reports, the two leaders also adopted a "joint vision for the ROK-U.S. alliance," which includes a written guarantee on "extended deterrence" that puts the ROK under the U.S. nuclear umbrella and provides conventional weapons (in response to North Korea's second nuclear test and a string of missile tests.) Furthermore, the leaders agreed to begin efforts to ratify the KORUS FTA at an appropriate time. Newspapers carried the following headlines: "President Obama: '(We) will Break Past Pattern of Rewarding N. Korea's Bad Behavior;' (We) are Ready for Negotiations but will Deal Resolutely with N. Korea's Provocations'" (conservative Chosun Ilbo); "Obama: '(U.S.) will Fulfill Its Commitment to Defend ROK through All Means Necessary'" (right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo, conservative Dong-a Ilbo); ROK-U.S. Relations to Develop into a Comprehensive, Strategic Alliance" (moderate Hankook Ilbo and Seoul Shinmun); "ROK, U.S. Agree Not to Allow Nuclear-armed N. Korea... to Explore Ways to Bring N. Korea Back to Dialogue" (left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun); and "Obama, Lee Agree to Seek Complete Denuclearization of N. Korea; Obama Pledges Nuclear Umbrella for ROK" (conservative Segye Ilbo) Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized: "Presidents Lee and Obama agreed to work together to achieve the complete and verifiable elimination of North Korea's nuclear weapons and existing nuclear and missile programs. ... The problem is how to achieve this objective. There is mounting pessimism in the international community, as well as in the ROK and the U.S., about the resolution of the North Korean nuclear and missile issue. Using physical means to eliminate North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities is not a realistic solution. A difficult task lies ahead for the ROK and the U.S. to overcome this pessimistic sentiment ... and to come up with a fundamental solution to the issues." Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized: "At issue is the effectiveness of the sanctions (against North Korea.) Unless China takes an active part, the sanctions will hardly be effective. ... Accordingly, the U.S. and ROK leaders should focus their dialogue on how to move China toward maximizing the effect of the sanctions against the North. We hope that the two leaders had an in-depth exchange of views on this during the summit." Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized: "Pressure and sanctions are not enough to resolve the issue of North Korea's nuclear and long-range missile development. This is why it is regrettable that the two leaders, while agreeing to pressure the North, failed to present incentives to bring the North back to dialogue. Now is the time for the international community to stand united and apply pressure on SEOUL 00000965 003 OF 009 the North. However, only when the North is offered a way out is a peaceful resolution possible." ¶N. Korea -------------- - Detained U.S. Journalists Most ROK media gave attention to North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)'s report yesterday that the two U.S. journalists who were jailed last week in North Korea for 12 years of "reform through labor" admitted that "what they did were criminal acts committed, prompted by the political motive to isolate and stifle the socialist system of North Korea." Conservative Chosun Ilbo cited an ROKG official: "This North Korea report might have been intended to stress the North's justification for trying (the journalists) and to suggest that the issue has now reached the stage of political negotiations." Conservative Dong-a Ilbo, on the other hand, viewed this report as aimed at provoking the U.S. to accelerate negotiations for their release. - Missile and Nuclear Activities Conservative Chosun Ilbo front-paged a report citing an ROKG source that a special North Korean train, which transported an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)-class missile to a launch site in Tongchang-ri, North Pyongan Province in May, recently moved from a missile research center in Pyongyang to another launch site in Musudan-ri, North Hamgyong Province. The report went on to say that ROK and U.S. authorities speculate that the North may have transported a second ICBM-class missile to the Musudan-ri launch site. Chosun also cited Chinese foreign affairs experts as saying yesterday that China and North Korea are no longer in a close military alliance and that Beijing has only limited influence on the North in terms of the nuclear issue. OPINIONS/EDITORIALS -------------- "Preventing Further Bloodshed in Iran" (Hankyoreh Shinmun, June 17, 2009, page 27) "First and foremost, we hope that the Iranian government and opposition parties will work together to avoid any further blood clashes. Iran is a key state in determining the political situation in the Middle East. No one benefits if Iran falls into a spiral of bloody violence. ... President Ahmadinejad has caused discontent among reformist forces by adhering to a hard-line conservative policy at home and abroad since taking office. ... What makes the current protests serious is that the general public critical of the current regime has aligned itself with the reformist forces. ... In order to resolve the situation, the forces in power must open their ears to the people's calls for change. They must keep in mind that if they attempt to resolve it through hard-line tactics of suppression, they will end up in even greater chaos." Terrorists Will Not Achieve Their Goals Through Violence (Chosun Ilbo, June 17, 2009, page 35) It was confirmed yesterday that 34-year-old Eom Young-sun was murdered after she was kidnapped while doing volunteer work in Yemen. We express our condolences for Ms. Eom, who was unjustly killed while engaged in meaningful work in difficult surroundings. Moreover, we sternly condemn this act of terror that took the life of an innocent civilian. To target unarmed civilians, who have not taken any hostile action, with terrorism is an inhumane act that cannot be condoned for any reason. This year, five Koreans have been killed in terrorist attacks in Yemen alone. In March, four Korean tourists were killed in a SEOUL 00000965 004 OF 009 terrorist bombing attack as they were touring Shibam in Yemen, and now, three months later, a similar incident has taken place. Ms. Eom was kidnapped by an unknown terrorist group on June 12 - a Muslim day of rest - when she was hiking with a German family she was working with. (Her death) could be called tragic or an uncontrollable situation that occurred in a flash, but this does not mitigate the government's responsibility. The most fundamental government responsibility and duty is to protect the lives and property of citizens living inside and outside of its country. First, the ROKG must cooperate with Yemeni authorities to find out quickly which terrorist group murdered Ms. Eom, and examine all potential measures necessary to prevent the possibility of future victims. Moreover, the government must fundamentally review whether it is properly protecting the lives of its citizens residing or serving in dangerous areas. The fact that the lives of five citizens can be lost in the same country within three months is evidence of a big gap in the government's ability to protect its overseas nationals. The government must protect its citizens from further losses to terrorism, even if it means pulling Korean nationals out of the country or slapping on travel bans. Moreover, the government should deeply examine why terrorist acts against Koreans in the Middle East are repeatedly occurring. As we saw with the 2004 kidnapping and killing of Kim Sun-il in Iraq and the 2007 group kidnapping of Koreans in Afghanistan, the ROKG's Middle East policies, which are servile to the U.S., are leading to animosity against Koreans on the ground. Moreover, the fact that most of the victims of terrorism in the Middle East have been members of Christian missionary groups suggests something. Not only citizens in general, but volunteer groups, too, should adopt an attitude respecting local religions and culture, and the government should implement a principled Middle East policy along with brisk efforts to boost mutual understanding. (This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is identical to the Korean version.) Yemen Tragedy Calls on Us to Fight against Terrorism (JoongAng Ilbo, June 17, 2009, Page 42) An ROK woman was kidnapped and murdered in Yemen, even as the shocking memory of the suicide bombing that cost the lives of four ROK tourists in that country still lingers. Eom Young-sun - who worked for World Wide Service, the multinational medical service group - had been missing along with eight other members and was found dead on June 15. It seems that the killing did not specifically target Koreans, since the other members were all Europeans. However, the ROKG should not sit on its hands. More than 12 million Koreans depart from the ROK annually, and may be exposed to indiscriminate terrorism against foreigners any time and anywhere. With strings of killings (of Koreans) in Yemen, the ROKG and the public should be put on high alert against terrorism. No exact details on how the killing took place were revealed. However, some people speculate that al-Qaida, the international terrorist group, masterminded this act because there was no ransom or political demand contrary to ordinary abduction of foreigners in Yemen. Al-Qaida, which has suffered a blow due to a global crackdown and economic crisis, has established Yemen as a new stronghold to consolidate the organization. According to investigations by the Yemeni government, al-Qaida perpetrated the March terrorist act in order to demonstrate that it remains powerful. Therefore the ROKG should take thorough measures to protect ROK residents and travelers in the areas where al-Qaida operates. The ROKG may need to review the possibility of heightening the level of risk to foreigners in Yemen to "avoid all travel," - as in Afghanistan and Somalia -from "avoid non-essential travel." The public should also increase their awareness of, and weigh the risks of, terrorist acts before leaving the country. Moreover, it is time to review ways to participate actively in the U.S.-led campaign against terrorism. The ROKG cannot just idly SEOUL 00000965 005 OF 009 watch the anti-terrorism campaign, now that many Koreans have fallen victim to terrorist acts. The ROKG should make contributions commensurate with its international standing and forge close cooperation with other governments to further improve its capability to prevent terrorism. We Should No Longer Be Victims of Inhumane Terrorism (Dong-a Ilbo, June 17, 2009, Page 31) An ROK (aid) worker, Eom Young-sun, was found dead in Yemen before we're even able to wake up from the nightmare of the suicide bombing that killed ROK tourists in March. The ROKG needs to establish a more systematic warning system to ensure the safety of ROK residents in foreign countries. Following the suicide bombing that took the lives of four ROK tourists in March, the ROKG designated Yemen as an "avoid non-essential travel" country, but in spite of this, a terrible killing took place again. Yemen is a country where kidnapping is rampant and gun possession is legalized. Because every Yemeni has on average three guns, occasional gun-related incidents can occur. Yemen has been unstable since its unification, and the police have not done a good job in keeping peace in the region. Yemen is a precarious country where terrorist organizations, including al-Qaida, reign and foreigners become their targets. The ROKG should provide this information to the public through various channels. To prevent this tragedy (from happening again),citizens, as well the government, should take responsibility for their own lives and safety. Also, religious organizations should be warned against dispatching missionaries. The public should bear in mind that there is no area free from international terrorism and, in particular, people who travel in dangerous countries should make an effort to protect their own safety. Situation in Yemen Demonstrates S. Korea Needs a Principled Middle East policy (Hankyoreh Shinmun, June 17, 2009, page 27) It was confirmed yesterday that 34-year-old Eom Young-sun was murdered after she was kidnapped while doing volunteer work in Yemen. We express our condolences for Ms. Eom, who was unjustly killed while engaged in meaningful work in difficult surroundings. Moreover, we sternly condemn this act of terror that took the life of an innocent civilian. To target unarmed civilians, who have not taken any hostile action, with terrorism is an inhumane act that cannot be condoned for any reason. This year, five Koreans have been killed in terrorist attacks in Yemen alone. In March, four Korean tourists were killed in a terrorist bombing attack as they were touring Shibam in Yemen, and now, three months later, a similar incident has taken place. Ms. Eom was kidnapped by an unknown terrorist group on June 12 - a Muslim day of rest - when she was hiking with a German family she was working with. (Her death) could be called tragic or an uncontrollable situation that occurred in a flash, but this does not mitigate the government's responsibility. The most fundamental government responsibility and duty is to protect the lives and property of citizens living inside and outside of its country. First, the ROKG must cooperate with Yemeni authorities to find out quickly which terrorist group murdered Ms. Eom, and examine all potential measures necessary to prevent the possibility of future victims. Moreover, the government must fundamentally review whether it is properly protecting the lives of its citizens residing or serving in dangerous areas. The fact that the lives of five citizens can be lost in the same country within three months is evidence of a big gap in the government's ability to protect its overseas nationals. The government must protect its citizens from further losses to terrorism, even if it means pulling Korean nationals out of the country or slapping on travel bans. SEOUL 00000965 006 OF 009 Moreover, the government should deeply examine why terrorist acts against Koreans in the Middle East are repeatedly occurring. As we saw with the 2004 kidnapping and killing of Kim Sun-il in Iraq and the 2007 group kidnapping of Koreans in Afghanistan, the ROKG's Middle East policies, which are servile to the U.S., are leading to animosity against Koreans on the ground. Moreover, the fact that most of the victims of terrorism in the Middle East have been members of Christian missionary groups suggests something. Not only citizens in general, but volunteer groups, too, should adopt an attitude respecting local religions and culture, and the government should implement a principled Middle East policy along with brisk efforts to boost mutual understanding. (This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is identical to the Korean version.) Shocking and Regrettable Yemen Tragedy (Hankook Ilbo, June 17, 2009, Page 35) It was confirmed that Eom Young-sun, an ROK aid worker, was murdered in Yemen after being kidnapped by terrorists. In March, a suicide bombing took the lives of four ROK tourists and some people pinpoint al-Qaida as the mastermind behind this act. However, Yemen, which has many armed rebel forces, has been plagued with tribal strife, political terrors and kidnapping. Particularly, some tribes often abduct foreign technicians in order to demand that their jobs will be guaranteed in the new oil fields and factories. Some people blame a Shiite rebel group for the terrorist acts that occurred this time and in March, while others hold an indigenous tribe accountable. The terrorists purportedly committed this crime in retaliation after the Yemeni government rounded up suspects to crack down on kidnappings - which tarnishes their national image and hinders tourism - and imposed severe punishment on them. Therefore it is presumed that the kidnappings, which were once settled in return for ransom, have changed (in character.) However, armed forces, such as the Shiite rebel group, show animosity against a greater presence of foreigners, particularly foreign missionary groups. The ROKG should come up with more realistic measures. Our citizens also should become more aware (of the dangers) and protect their own safety. Seoul Must Be Ready to Defend Itself (Chosun Ilbo, June 17, 2009, Page 35) South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and U.S. President Barack Obama met in Washington, D.C. Tuesday and announced a "vision" for the alliance between South Korea and the U.S. As part of this vision, they agreed to work together to achieve the complete and verifiable elimination of North Korea's nuclear weapons and existing nuclear and missile programs. They also set out plans to transform their half-century-old alliance into a comprehensive, strategic partnership that encompasses the military and security fields, as well as politics, society and culture. The two leaders presented their objectives for North Korea's nuclear and missile programs that could not be resolved through existing U.S.-North Korean agreements or the Six-Party Talks. The Six-Party Talks have failed to halt North Korea's plutonium-based nuclear program, while a U.S.-North Korean missile agreement reached in 1999 was only a provisional measure that merely delayed the launch of a long-range missile by the North. Lee and Obama agreed that the previous practice of rewarding North Korea's bad behavior would no longer be acceptable and that improper behavior will lead to consequences. In other words, there will be no more temporary expedients. The problem is how to achieve this objective. There is mounting SEOUL 00000965 007 OF 009 pessimism in the international community, as well as in the ROK and the U.S., about the resolution of the North Korean nuclear and missile issue. Using physical means to eliminate North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities is not a realistic solution. A difficult task lies ahead for the ROK and the U.S. to overcome this pessimistic sentiment, to come up with a fundamental solution to the issues, and turn them into realistic measures. The two sides say they will use the alliance to achieve a peaceful reunification on the Korean peninsula based on the principles of a free-market economy. The two leaders also vowed to cooperate to improve the human rights situation in North Korea. They proposed a set of values, methods and goals for reunification that deal directly with the issue of North Korean human rights, which is something that previous administrations avoided even mentioning. They used the term "extended deterrence" to announce the inclusion of South Korea under the U.S. nuclear umbrella against the threat of a North Korean nuclear attack. It refers to a comprehensive alliance in which Washington would construe an attack against an allied nation as an attack on U.S. soil, justifying the mobilization of American nuclear and conventional weapons, and resources in response. But from a military point of view, including the return of full Korean troop control from the U.S. to the South Korean military, the two leaders said the readjustment of the alliance would be achieved by South Korea handling the main role in its own defense and the U.S. offering support through troops stationed in Korea and other regions. That was merely a reaffirmation of the existing military agreements. It reflects Washington's view that South Korea should handle the bulk of the duties when it comes to military operations on the Korean peninsula. The South Korean government must pay close attention to the U.S. position and make sure it is fully prepared to defend itself. (This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is identical to the Korean version.) Did U.S., ROK Leaders Discuss Ways to Make China Move? (JoongAng Ilbo, June 17, 2009, Page 42) We understand that the debate about North Korea's intentions behind its nuclear development is over. Now that North Korea has conducted its second nuclear test and admitted to having a uranium enrichment program - the existence of which the North previously denied - it is no longer convincing to assume that Pyongyang intends to use its nuclear development as a bargaining chip at the negotiation table. It has been clear that the possession of nuclear weapons is the goal in itself. This is why we regard the current situation as the third nuclear crisis, which is much more serious than the first and second crises. It is now ridiculous to persuade Pyongyang to return to the negotiation table. In the current situation, we have no choice but to give top priority to strong sanctions against North Korea under UN Security Council Resolution 1874. We think that, based on this perception, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and U.S. President Barack Obama reaffirmed the principle of not tolerating a nuclear-armed North Korea at the summit this morning and declared that the past pattern of rewarding the North for its bad behavior in order to resume dialogue would be no longer repeated. At issue is the effectiveness of the sanctions (against North Korea). Unless China takes an active part, the sanctions will hardly be effective. In the meantime, North Korea will shut itself off from the outside world and increase its nuclear arsenal step by step. Although President Lee reportedly proposed holding five-way talks that exclude North Korea at the summit, the variable will be China. If China refuses to join them, the talks will be useless. Accordingly, the U.S. and ROK leaders should focus their dialogue on how to move China toward maximizing the effect of the sanctions against the North. We hope that the two leaders had an in-depth SEOUL 00000965 008.2 OF 009 exchange of views on this during the summit. In this sense, we need to heed what Moon Chang-keuk, a JoongAng Ilbo senior columnist, said at the June 15 seminar held in Washington by the Korea-U.S. Club, a gathering of former Washington correspondents. He noted that the ROK and the U.S. should ensure, through diplomacy, that China brings its influence to bear on the North, and to this end, the ROK, the U.S. and Japan should share the burden that China will have to endure while pressuring the North. He also said that in case pressure leads to emergency in North Korea, the ROK and the U.S. should promise not to act against the interest of China but to respect China's opinion as much as possible. If North Korea becomes a nuclear state like India and Pakistan, it is evident that we cannot avoid a nuclear domino effect in Northeast Asia. While enforcing sanctions against North Korea, we should also leave the door open for dialogue. Still, now is the time to concentrate our efforts to deal a blow to North Korea through sanctions, not to talk about dialogue. If Pyongyang intends to return to dialogue on its own, we will accept it, but we should stop giving any rewards in response. It is also absolutely important that (the ROK and the U.S.) agree that efforts to prepare for any possible emergency (on the Korean Peninsula) should be led by the ROK, with other nations taking up supporting roles. ROK-U.S. Summit Calls for Sticks against North Korea (Hankook Ilbo, June 17, 2009, Page 35) Pressure and sanctions are not enough to resolve the issue of North Korea's nuclear and long-range missile development. This is why it is regrettable that the two leaders, while agreeing to pressure the North at the summit, failed to present incentives to bring the North back to dialogue. Now is the time for the international community to stand united and apply pressure on the North. However, only when the North is offered a way out is a peaceful resolution possible. Based on the view shared with the U.S. at the summit, the ROKG should deal sternly with North Korea and at the same time take the lead in creating a new framework for drawing the North back into talks. FEATURES -------------- President Lee: "Strong ROK-U.S. Cooperation Will Deter War" President Obama: "We Will Break Past Pattern of Rewarding North Korea's Bad Behavior" (Chosun Ilbo, June 17, 2009, Front page) By Reporters Joo Yong-joong and Lee Ha-won from Washington ROK, U.S. Presidents: "North Korea will never be allowed to have nuclear weapons" They adopted the "Joint Vision for the ROK-U.S. Alliance," which includes (a provision providing a) U.S. nuclear umbrella for the ROK. President Lee Myung-bak and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama agreed on Tuesday morning to strengthen cooperation with neighboring countries in order to send a clear message to North Korea that its provocations will come at a price. "We are going to break the past pattern (of rewarding North Korea's bad behavior)," President Obama said, adding, "Belligerent, provocative behavior that threatens neighbors will be met with significant and serious enforcement of sanctions that are in place." He also urged North Korea to take a path towards peace and economic growth through denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. President Lee said, "North Korea will clearly realize that its past strategy of backing off in the middle of negotiations will no longer work," adding, "We hope that North Korea will abandon its past methods soon SEOUL 00000965 009 OF 009 and join the international community." President Lee said, "North Korea is making reckless demands about the Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC),and if North Korea continues to make excessive demands, I cannot assure the North what decision the ROKG will make on the KIC issue," and urged Pyongyang to release an ROK employee with the surname Yu and two U.S. female journalists, who are being detained in North Korea. Presidents Lee and Obama declared a "joint vision" for the ROK-U.S. alliance based on shared beliefs and trust in free democracy and the market economy. The document has 10 parts and pledges to "maintain a robust defense posture," expressing "continuing commitment of extended deterrence, including the U.S. nuclear umbrella." Regarding the transfer of wartime operational control of ROK troops from the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command to the ROK, which is scheduled for 2012, the two leaders said that, while monitoring North Korea's threats and the security situation on the Korean Peninsula, they will regularly check to determine if preparations for the transfer are going well. If there is anything that needs to be changed, both the ROK and U.S. will review it and complement the plan through close discussions. Based on the view that the stability and reconstruction of Afghanistan and Pakistan is important for world peace, the two leaders agreed to continue to cooperate with each other on this issue, but they did not talk about the deployment of ROK troops to the region, according to a Blue House official. On the Korea-U.S. Free Tree Agreement (FTA),the two leaders also agreed to "make joint efforts to chart our way forward." President Obama noted that he will send the FTA to Congress for a vote at a time that Americans and South Koreans think is appropriate. STANTON