SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; JANUARY 28, 2010

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 SEOUL 000107 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KS US SUBJECT: SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; JANUARY 28, 2010 TOP HEADLINES -------------- Chosun Ilbo, JoongAng Ilbo ¶N. Korea Fires Artillery toward Northern Limit Line in Yellow Sea; ROKG Vows to Cut off Dialogue If North's Shells Land in ROK Waters Dong-a Ibo, Hankook Ilbo, Hankyoreh Shinmun, Segye Ilbo, Seoul Shinmun, All TVs ¶N. Korea Fires Artillery near Sea Border on Three Separate Occasions; North Says Firing will Continue DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS -------------- North Korea yesterday fired a barrage of coastal artillery shells into waters near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the Yellow Sea, the de facto maritime border between the two Koreas, on three separate occasions, and vowed to continue firing despite warnings from the ROK. (All) The ROK Navy responded with warning shots, and the Defense Ministry issued a message urging the North to stop the provocation. (All) The North's artillery shells landed in the North's own waters, but it is the first time that the North has fired artillery aimed at the NLL. (All) According to the ROK's Joint Chiefs of Staff, no casualties or damage were reported from either side. (All) Despite the North's provocation, Unification Minister Hyun In-taek said yesterday that inter-Korean talks on the operation of the joint Kaesong Industrial Complex in the North, slated for next Monday, will go ahead as planned. (All) According to Second Vice Foreign Minister Chun Young-woo, Seoul and Washington agreed on Jan. 26 to conduct a feasibility study of "pyroprocessing," a proliferation-resistant technology of reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, before the two countries begin earnest talks to revise their bilateral atomic energy agreement which expires in 2014. (Chosun) MEDIA ANALYSIS -------------- -N. Korea -------------- North Korea's firing yesterday of a barrage of coastal artillery shells into waters near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the Yellow Sea, the de facto maritime border between the two Koreas, received above-the-fold front-page treatment. According to media reports, North Korea vowed to continue firing despite warnings from Seoul. It was the first time that North Korea fired artillery towards the NLL, although the rounds landed on the North Korean side, according to mediareports. Most media noted yesterday's remarks by Unification Minister Hyun In-taek, in which he said that (despite the North's action,) inter-Korean working-level talks on the operation of the joint Kaesong Industrial Complex in the North, slated for next Monday, will go ahead as planned. Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Philip Crowley was also quoted as saying during a regular briefing: "We're looking into it (the North's declaration of a no sail zone) just to determine precisely what might be behind it. But obviously, in any kind of declaration like that, we would encourage restraint on both sides." SEOUL 00000107 002 OF 005 Conservative Chosun Ilbo commented: "The navigation ban which the North declared on Jan. 25 includes ROK waters of the NLL, but the firing seems to be a 'low-intensity provocation' aimed at turning the NLL into a matter of maritime dispute and drawing attention to the North's desire for a peace treaty to replace the ceasefire agreement that halted the Korean War in 1953." Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized: "It is preposterous to try to sign a peace treaty by raising tension, instead of making practical progress towards peace. ... North Korea may also have intended to pressure the ROK authorities to be more active toward inter-Korean talks. However, it would be a big mistake for the North to think that it can attain such a goal with this kind of 'provocation.' ... No matter what North Korea's intentions are, the ROKG should respond in a resolute, prompt, and appropriate manner." Conservative Dong-a Ilbo wrote in the headline: "N. Korea Expresses Discontent that its Conciliatory Offensive Is Not Working on the U.S. and ROK." Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized: "The ROKG is also to blame for this situation. Key ROKG officials have made insensitive remarks against North Korea, such as (the intent to launch) a preemptive strike against any signs of a nuclear attack from North Korea and the possibility of a regime collapse in the North. ... In order to turn the situation around, it is essential for the ROKG to change its North Korea policy. ... It is time for both Koreas to exercise restraint, but that is not enough. Unless the two Koreas reduce sources of conflict and forge a relationship conducive to raising mutual trust, a similar situation could occur at any time." OPINIONS/EDITORIALS -------------- ROK SHOULD RESPOND TO NORTH KOREA'S NLL PROVOCATION FIRMLY BUT CAUTIOUSLY (JoongAng Ilbo, January 28, 2010, Page 31; Excerpts) Some observers say that North Korea's provocations are aimed at increasing interest in a peace treaty by the international community, including the U.S. It is preposterous to try to sign a peace treaty by raising tension, instead of making practical progress towards peace. Pyongyang may have intended to attract the attention of the U.S., which appears to be intentionally showing signs disregarding the North, or to pressure the ROK authorities to be more active towards inter-Korean talks. However, it would be a big mistake for the North to think that it can attain such a goal with this kind of "provocation." This is because either the ROK or the U.S. will not and must not yield to North Korea's provocation. No matter what North Korea's intentions are, the ROKG should respond in a resolute, prompt, and appropriate manner. If North Korea schemes to raise tensions abruptly, the ROK should respond cautiously so as not to be embroiled in such a plot. At the same time, the ROK's immediate and resolute response is needed to defend the NLL strictly. We are in a difficult situation in which we have to achieve two seemingly conflicting goals at the same time. This is the time to exercise the wisdom and courage of flexibility while sticking to principle. The ROK people should also understand this complicated situation facing the ROKG and cope with (the North's artillery fire) in a calm manner. They do not need to be overly anxious, but insensitivity toward security is even more inappropriate. ROK SHOULD RESPOND IN THE SAME WAY TO NORTH KOREA'S ARTILLERY FIRE NEAR NLL (Dong-a Ilbo, January 28, Page 31; Excerpts) This is the first time that North Korea declared the waters near the ROK's islands as no-sail zones and fired artillery aimed at the SEOUL 00000107 003 OF 005 Northern Limit Line (NLL),which was drawn up in 1953. Shells from North Korea's cannons were found about 2.7 kilometers north of the NLL. The ROK Navy responded appropriately by firing warning shots. The ROK's naval rules of engagement stipulate that the ROK navy can fire back if North Korea fires first. The ROK military should demonstrate its determination to deter the North's provocations. In November last year, just three months ago, a North Korean patrol boat crossed the line and refused to turn back despite warnings. We can thwart additional provocation (from the North) and keep peace (on the Korean Peninsula) by responding strongly to the North's shootings. North Korea has resorted to irrational acts to nullify the NLL. We should not allow North Korea to escalate tensions in an attempt to redraw the NLL, which has been in place over a half century. Despite the North Korean regime's claim that it wants a peace treaty, this incident shows that the North is bent on disrupting peace through belligerent saber-rattling. If North Korea continues to stage provocations, it will have a negative impact on the resumption of the Mt. Kumgang tour project and negotiations on the Kaesongg Industrial Complex. WAITING FOR INTER-KOREAN RELATIONS TO THAW (Hankyoreh Shinmun, January 28, 2010, Page 31) North Korea fired coastal artillery yesterday in the waters just north of the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the Yellow Sea, and in response, South Korea fired a warning shot with a Vulcan cannon. This is not an incident to be taken lightly, since it marks the first time North Korea has fired artillery in the area of the NLL since declaring a "no-sail zone" over the line. It is a situation that could lead to hostilities in earnest if North Korea fires to the south of the line or if South Korea responds inappropriately. It appears that North Korea has put its recent warning into practice. The North Korean People's Army General Staff announced it would be engaging in "resolute military activity" on Sunday, taking issue with remarks by South Korean Defense Minister Kim Tae-young about a "preemptive strike in the event of a North Korean nuclear attack." On Jan. 15, it criticized reports about South Korean plans to prepare for the eventuality of an upheaval in North Korea and vowed a "holy war of retaliation." Contained within North Korea's latest artillery fire episode is the intent of applying pressure on the South Korean government while emboldening its own military. In addition, there are signs of an attempt to strengthen its own recent calls for discussions of a peace regime by highlighting the issue of the NLL, the weak link in the existing armistice system. Whatever the case, North Korea was clearly wrong to employ military measures. In particular, a show of military force around the NLL could lead to an unforeseen clash, and for this reason, what happened yesterday must not be repeated. North Korea's brazen attitude in labeling it "annual live artillery training" only worsens the problem. No one in South Korea can accept the firing of live rounds in the area around the five West Sea islands as a reasonable action. The ROKG is also to blame for this situation. Key ROKG officials have made insensitive remarks against North Korea, such as (the intent to launch) a preemptive strike against any signs of a nuclear attack from North Korea and the possibility of a regime collapse in the North, and the Blue House continues to do nothing to stop such provocative remarks. Some within the government are even saying that a serious situation would not arise even if North Korea is provoked. Such an attitude in the government is enough to make one wonder if it is deliberately raising tensions in inter-Korean relations. More important than this is the overall condition of inter-Korean relations. The NLL issue is bound to be defined according to the level and shape of these relations. When inter-Korean relations are harmonious, any unexpected incident that may arise can be dealt with easily, but the reality now is that uneasy relations are breeding SEOUL 00000107 004 OF 005 possibilities for conflict. In order to turn the situation around, it is essential for the ROKG to change its North Korea policy. At this point, inter-Korean relations can be improved substantially if the Lee Administration decides to make it happen. Instead, it is maintaining a hard-line position, s-e-c-r-e-t-l-y waiting for a total capitulation by North Korea. It is time for both Koreas to exercise restraint, but that is not enough. Unless the two Koreas reduce sources of conflict and forge a relationship conducive to raising mutual trust, a similar situation could occur at any time. In such an event, both North Korea and South Korea would suffer, and international efforts to resolve the nuclear issue would inevitably be damaged. How long should we endure these uneasy inter-Korean relations? (This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is identical to the Korean version.) FEATURES -------------- ¶S. KOREA MAKES SOME PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR SPAT WITH U.S. (Chosun Ilbo, January 28, 2010, Front Page) By Washington Correspondent Lee Ha-won Seoul and Washington on Tuesday agreed to conduct a feasibility study of pyroprocessing, a new technology for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel rods, before they begin talks to revise the Korea-U.S. Atomic Energy Agreement. Second Vice Foreign Minister Chun Young-woo, who is on a visit to Washington, said he exchanged views on the revision of the agreement with senior officials from the White House, and the Departments of State and Energy since Monday. In those discussions, "I agreed with U.S. officials about the need for experts to conduct a technological and economic feasibility study of pyroprocessing before the two countries begin full-fledged talks on this," he told reporters. Chun explained that unlike conventional technologies, pyroprocessing is a safe method that does not lead to the separate extraction of plutonium which could be used to make nuclear weapons. But U.S. officials in charge of the revision of the agreement and nuclear nonproliferation issues are still reportedly skeptical. It appears that the U.S. is ready to listen to experts' views, although it has doubts whether pyroprocessing is entirely safe. Scott Snyder, the Director of the Center for U.S.-Korea Policy of the Asia Foundation, advised South Korea to focus more on "nuclear responsibility" and less on its rights as a sovereign state to maintain its "international competitiveness in this newly emerging sector." In an article for the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations, Snyder said the two countries need a creative solution to avoid damage to their relations. The U.S. is motivated by its overarching goal of preventing nuclear proliferation, he added. (This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is identical to the Korean version.) WHY DID N. KOREA FIRE ARTILLERY SHELLS NEAR THE SEA BORDER? (Chosun Ilbo, January 28, 2010, Page 4) By Reporter Ahn Yong-hyun North Korea has raised the ante on the Korean Peninsula by resuming firing Thursday after lobbing around 100 rounds of artillery shells the previous day from coastal batteries into waters near the SEOUL 00000107 005 OF 005 Northern Limit Line, the de-facto maritime border. The shelling came only two days after Pyongyang declared a no-navigation zone straddling the disputed sea border, the first of its kind since the Korean War ended in 1953. Experts say the North is simply trying to attract attention from the United States with a view to expediting discussion of a peace treaty, as well as seeking to boost the morale of the military and punishing South Korea for perceived threats to the regime. Attention Seeking The North's primary aim is to secure the regime while Kim Jong-il is still alive. The North's Foreign Ministry on Jan. 11 proposed talks on a peace treaty, a matter it wants dealt with in Six-Party denuclearization talks. But Washington has yet to respond. In the past, the North found it easy to attract U.S. attention with such antics, but since the international community intensified sanctions in the wake of the North's second nuclear test in May last year, that is no longer working. "Pyongyang wants to stress the need for a peace treaty with provocations around the NLL, which is a product of the armistice," commented Yang Mu-jin, a professor at Kyungnam University. In the process, North Korea may attempt to freeze out South Korea. "The North wants to talk to us only about economic cooperation matters like the Kaesong Industrial Complex and tours to Mt. Kumgang, while communicating solely with the U.S. on security issues like the nuclear problem," said Ryu Dong-ryeol, a researcher at the Police Science Institute. Other people have speculated that the shelling was aimed at using the NLL as leverage when peace talks are held. The most important agenda in a peace treaty conference will be drawing up a permanent border including the NLL. "The North has persistently provoked the South to keep the NLL disputed, violating it 43 times in October and November 1973," a security official recalled. Boosting the Military's Morale North Korea, which has elevated "military first" to a state doctrine, needs to boost the morale of its military, which suffered a blow when it was defeated in a naval skirmish in the disputed waters in November and also saw its perks drying up due to international sanctions and dwindling aid. "With the currency reform coupled by serious economic difficulties, the morale of the North Korean armed forces is very low," said international security ambassador Nam Joo-hong. And low military morale could harm the security of the regime. "Given information that Gen. Kim Myung-gil, the former head of operations, has been demoted by one grade in connection with the November naval skirmish, the artillery shelling appears to have been some kind of revenge," a North Korean source speculated. Meanwhile, there is a view that the North fired artillery, instead of engaging in ship-to-ship standoffs, in a bid to minimize damage now that the inferior capability of the North Korean Navy has become evident. Showing Muscle to the South When it was reported that the South is overhauling a contingency plan in case the North Korean regime collapses, the North on Jan. 15 threatened to wage "sacred war" and reported that Kim Jong-il observed a massive military exercise. Later it said it would regard South Korean Defense Minister Kim Tae-young's remarks about possible pre-emptive attack as "a declaration of war." The shelling "is a pressure tactic against the South's continued undermining of the Kim Jong-il regime," said a researcher at a state-run think tank. (This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is identical to the Korean version.) STEPHENS