TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - DEATH OF KIM DAE-JUNG

UNCLAS TOKYO 001912 SIPDIS STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR, EAP/J, EAP/P, PM; USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI; SECDEF FOR OASD/PA; CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA SUBJECT: TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - DEATH OF KIM DAE-JUNG ¶1. LEAD STORIES: All Wednesday morning papers gave top or front-page play to the official start on Tuesday of the campaign for the August 30 House of Representatives election and the death of former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung on Tuesday. ¶2. "Mixed Results of 'Sunshine Policy'" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun wrote in an editorial (8/19): "Former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung has passed away. He dedicated his life to the democratization [of South Korea] and the promotion of human rights. Although he adopted the 'Sunshine Policy' to seek reconciliation with North Korea, the problem has been left for the next generation due to Pyongyang's persistence in conducting missile tests.... We would have to say that the 'Sunshine Policy' produced mixed results, as it failed to change North Korea's hard-line stance. Will we be able to develop new measures to urge North Korea to abandon its nuclear development programs by fully examining the results and limitations of the 'Sunshine Policy'? This is a major challenge that not only South Korea, but also the U.S., Japan, and neighboring nations should undertake." ¶3. "Kim Dae-jung Opened New Era in Japan-ROK Relations" The liberal Asahi editorialized (8/19): "From the Japanese viewpoint, the impression of former President Kim Dae-jung's efforts toward reconciliation with Japan is even stronger than that of his work on the democratization of the country and its peaceful coexistence with North Korea.... Although there was some friction in the relationship between Japan and South Korea toward the end of his term over former Prime Minister Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni Shrine and the Japanese textbook issue, it is certain that bilateral relations deepened both in quantity and quality [during his tenure]. We should always remember the strong leadership he demonstrated in carrying out his duties." ZUMWALT