Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SEOUL974
2009-06-18 07:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
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UNCLAS SEOUL 000974
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 Risks of Direct Talks between U.S. and N. Korea"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (06/18): "In a situation
where North Korea is looking only at the U.S., negotiations between
the U.S and North Korea will be inevitable. However, we must keep
in mind that the U.S. can change its attitude at any time, depending
on its national interests. During the first nuclear crisis in the
1990s, the ROK maintained this kind of cooperation with the U.S.,
but was left out in the cold soon after the U.S. undertook talks
with North Korea. ... Above all, it would be 'out of the question'
for the U.S.-North Korea talks to develop into nuclear disarmament
talks, which would amount to recognizing North Korea as a nuclear
state."
"No Time to Lose"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (06/18): "The (ROK-U.S.)
summit did help reduce concerns about a third North Korean nuclear
test, but it has not entirely erased the basic sources of anxiety.
The two nations ... didn't come up with any solutions on how to
actually solve the nuclear conundrum. Given that China holds the
key to imposing sanctions on North Korea, more must be done to
persuade China to become more active in putting pressure on
Pyongyang and helping to resolve the nuclear issue. ... Without
fundamental solutions to these problems, the North Korean nuclear
reserves will continue to grow and we may, in the end, reach a point
of no return. We can use either the stick or the carrot. Time is
running out."
"Pres. Lee-Obama Summit"
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized (06/18):
"The question is whether such firm determination (by the two
leaders) can result in changes in North Korea's behavior. ...
Pyongyang is set to defy the UN Security Council's new resolution
... The ROK and the U.S. must be prepared for further provocations
and aggression by the North. No less important is the need to
create an international atmosphere to promote sanctions against the
North. North Korean issues are expected to be discussed at the G8
Summit next month in Italy. Washington should take the lead in
enforcing UN sanctions on the North and implementing what was agreed
upon in the Seoul-Washington summit."
"ROK-U.S. Summit Raises More Issues than Solutions on the Nuclear
Issue"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (06/18): "The two
leaders failed to mention ways to fundamentally resolve the North
Korean nuclear issue. ... The continuing commitment of 'extended
deterrence, including the U.S. nuclear umbrella,' in the 'Joint
Vision for the ROK-U.S. Alliance' collides with the objective of
denuclearizing the Koren Peninsula because it is based on the
premise that North Korea possesses nuclear weapons. ... Instead of
creating a desirable solution to the nuclear issue and seeking
cooperation from the U.S., the ROKG opted for the misguided approach
of focusing on a self-serving hard-line response. The U.S., for its
part, without presenting any other alternative, appeared to be
awkwardly caught up in a hard-line argument. Some people in both
nations are arguing that negotiations are useless, since North Korea
aims to secure its status as a nuclear state. This easily ties in
with an ultra hard-line argument for increasing pressure against the
North even if it means war. It would be incredibly unfortunate if
these talks contribute to the spread of such a perspective."
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 Risks of Direct Talks between U.S. and N. Korea"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (06/18): "In a situation
where North Korea is looking only at the U.S., negotiations between
the U.S and North Korea will be inevitable. However, we must keep
in mind that the U.S. can change its attitude at any time, depending
on its national interests. During the first nuclear crisis in the
1990s, the ROK maintained this kind of cooperation with the U.S.,
but was left out in the cold soon after the U.S. undertook talks
with North Korea. ... Above all, it would be 'out of the question'
for the U.S.-North Korea talks to develop into nuclear disarmament
talks, which would amount to recognizing North Korea as a nuclear
state."
"No Time to Lose"
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (06/18): "The (ROK-U.S.)
summit did help reduce concerns about a third North Korean nuclear
test, but it has not entirely erased the basic sources of anxiety.
The two nations ... didn't come up with any solutions on how to
actually solve the nuclear conundrum. Given that China holds the
key to imposing sanctions on North Korea, more must be done to
persuade China to become more active in putting pressure on
Pyongyang and helping to resolve the nuclear issue. ... Without
fundamental solutions to these problems, the North Korean nuclear
reserves will continue to grow and we may, in the end, reach a point
of no return. We can use either the stick or the carrot. Time is
running out."
"Pres. Lee-Obama Summit"
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized (06/18):
"The question is whether such firm determination (by the two
leaders) can result in changes in North Korea's behavior. ...
Pyongyang is set to defy the UN Security Council's new resolution
... The ROK and the U.S. must be prepared for further provocations
and aggression by the North. No less important is the need to
create an international atmosphere to promote sanctions against the
North. North Korean issues are expected to be discussed at the G8
Summit next month in Italy. Washington should take the lead in
enforcing UN sanctions on the North and implementing what was agreed
upon in the Seoul-Washington summit."
"ROK-U.S. Summit Raises More Issues than Solutions on the Nuclear
Issue"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (06/18): "The two
leaders failed to mention ways to fundamentally resolve the North
Korean nuclear issue. ... The continuing commitment of 'extended
deterrence, including the U.S. nuclear umbrella,' in the 'Joint
Vision for the ROK-U.S. Alliance' collides with the objective of
denuclearizing the Koren Peninsula because it is based on the
premise that North Korea possesses nuclear weapons. ... Instead of
creating a desirable solution to the nuclear issue and seeking
cooperation from the U.S., the ROKG opted for the misguided approach
of focusing on a self-serving hard-line response. The U.S., for its
part, without presenting any other alternative, appeared to be
awkwardly caught up in a hard-line argument. Some people in both
nations are arguing that negotiations are useless, since North Korea
aims to secure its status as a nuclear state. This easily ties in
with an ultra hard-line argument for increasing pressure against the
North even if it means war. It would be incredibly unfortunate if
these talks contribute to the spread of such a perspective."
STANTON