SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; FEBRUARY 4, 2010

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 SEOUL 000152 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KS US SUBJECT: SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; FEBRUARY 4, 2010 TOP HEADLINES -------------- Chosun Ilbo Possibility of Engine Defects in Toyota Vehicles; U.S. Federal Safety Regulators to Investigate Electronic Throttle Control Systems in Toyotas JoongAng Ilbo Senior ROK Military Official: "N. Korea's Recent Artillery Firings Probably Due to Internal Power Struggle" Dong-a Ilbo Korean Teachers and Education Workers' Union Allegedly Paid Membership Fees to Minor Opposition Democratic Labor Party through Illegal Bank Accounts Hankook Ilbo, All TVs Assistant Secretary Campbell: "(U.S.) Listening to Concerns from ROK Regarding Planned OPCON Transfer" Hankyoreh Shinmun Carcinogens Found in Deposits of Han and Youngsan Rivers Segye Ilbo Three Clinics Face Charges for Illegal Abortions Seoul Shinmun Foreign Minister Yu: "ROK in Discussions with Relevant Countries over Possible Inter-Korean Summit" DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS -------------- Visiting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell said during a Feb. 3 press meeting that the U.S. has heard concerns raised by the ROK regarding the planned transfer of wartime operational control from the U.S. to the ROK and that it is taking them seriously. (All) Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan, in a Feb. 3 interview with YTN, said that the ROK is talking with the U.S., Japan, China and Russia over a possible inter-Korean summit, adding: "It is important to cooperate closely with these countries regarding the summit issue." (Hankook, Seoul) According to the Defense Ministry, North Korea has again designated two areas in the waters off the disputed maritime border in the Yellow Sea as "naval firing zones." The Defense Ministry raised the possibility of further provocations by the North, considering its recent behavior. (All) Responding to the Pentagon's latest Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR),which said that the ROK showed interest in participating in the U.S.'s Ballistic Missile Defense to prepare for missile attacks from North Korea, the ROK Military said yesterday that the QDR cannot be seen as Washington's official stance and that there has been no formal U.S. request regarding the issue. (Chosun, Dong-a, Hankook, Segye, Seoul) Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, commander of the U.S. Army, Pacific, indicated yesterday that the U.S. is seeking to organize a trilateral military drill with the ROK and Japan. The ROK Defense Ministry, however, denied this, saying that it had no such discussions. (All) MEDIA ANALYSIS -------------- -A/S Campbell Visit to ROK SEOUL 00000152 002 OF 006 -------------- All ROK media covered Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell's Feb. 3 press meeting in Seoul, during which he said: "We have heard some of the concerns mentioned by senior military and other officials in South Korea (regarding the planned transfer of wartime operational control from the U.S. to the ROK). We take some of the concerns seriously." He was further quoted as saying: "This is a matter for further high-level dialogue between our two countries. We will do nothing to undermine the security or confidence of our partners in South Korea." Regarding North Korea's demand for a peace treaty, Assistant Secretary Campbell was reported as saying: "What's most important right now, at the top of the list, no distractions, are the resumption of the Six-Party Talks and the return of North Korea to that framework." He was also quoted about the possibility of an inter-Korean summit that (Washington) "welcomes efforts by the South Korean President to reach across the divide to North Korea," adding that the two allies are working closely together over the summit issue. In a related development, moderate Hankook Ilbo and Seoul Shinmun noted Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan's remarks during a Feb. 3 interview with YTN, in which he said that the ROK is talking with the U.S., Japan, China and Russia over a possible inter-Korean summit, adding: "It is important to cooperate closely with these countries regarding the summit issue." Seoul commented that it is the first time that an ROKG official has confirmed that moves are underway to hold an inter-Korean summit. -N. Korea -------------- Citing the Defense Ministry, all media reported that North Korea has again designated two areas in the waters off the disputed maritime border in the Yellow Sea as "naval firing zones." According to media reports, the Defense Ministry said during a Feb. 3 meeting of ruling party and government officials that the two firing zones will be active for four days from Feb. 5-8 and that there is a possibility that the North may launch further provocations, considering its recent behavior. In a related development, right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo front-paged a report quoting a senior military official as saying yesterday that there is a strong possibility that the North's artillery fire late last month might have stemmed from a competition for loyalty to leader Kim Jong-il among military leaders. The report went on to quote another military source as saying: "I believe that there is a serious power struggle underway in North Korea." OPINIONS/EDITORIALS -------------- OBAMA "BECKONING" ROK (Chosun Ilbo, February 4, Page 34: Excerpts) By Washington correspondent Lee Ha-won When high-ranking officials from the world's most powerful country (the U.S.) speak highly of the ROK, it seems to result from a strategic judgment. Amid the worsening situation in Northeast Asia, the U.S. is beckoning the ROK to seek help by making remarks favorable to the ROK. The U.S. wants the ROK to play a helpful role in resolving the U.S.'s conflict with Japan and China and also in the North Korean issue. In particular, (it seems that) the U.S.'s strategy is to use the U.S.-ROK relationship as leverage in dealing with Japan. From a broader perspective, President Obama is seeking a partner who will help tackle global issues. This is why Obama in June last year agreed to the Joint Vision for the ROK-U.S. Alliance, which calls for global expansion of the ROK-U.S. alliance. SEOUL 00000152 003 OF 006 This move by the U.S. provides a (good) opportunity for the ROK which will hold the G20 Summit in November 2010. This will pave the way for the ROK to act as a "middle power" and play a bridging role between developed and developing countries. This year should mark a turning point for the ROK to elevate its international status. LET'S LOOK AT U.S. MILITARY'S STRATEGIC FLEXIBILITY CORRECTLY (Hankook Ilbo, February 4, Page 39) The Pentagon's latest Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR),which states the U.S. Forces in Korea (USFK)'s strategic flexibility, made news in the ROK. The QDR report touches on the U.S.'s mid- and long-term defense strategy and is submitted to the U.S. Congress. Changing the USFK from forward-deployed to forward-stationed is the core of the U.S.'s defense reform which has been implemented since the Bush Administration. The former ROK government made a basic agreement (with the U.S.) on this issue. Highlighting (the USFK's strategic flexibility) by linking it with a transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) appears to be a patriotic move. However, this may lead us to disregard realistic challenges associated with strategic flexibility, jeopardizing our national interest. The essence of strategic flexibility is to change U.S. forces overseas from forward-deployed forces to available forces for global contingencies. The main reason is to combat new threats from rogue countries and sponsors of terrorism. However, realistic factors underlie (strategic flexibility.) There is waning support at home and abroad for stationing U.S. forces overseas. Moreover, the controversy has lingered over the USFK (in the ROK) regarding its status and environmental issues (related to USFK activities), sparking anti-U.S. sentiment. In an effort to realign U.S. forces not only on the U.S. soil but also in the U.S.'s key allies such as Britain, Japan and the ROK, the U.S. decided to hand over wartime operational control to the ROK. Swamped by controversy over the transfer of wartime operational control, the ROK has put strategic flexibility on the back burner. The former ROK government championed the OPCON transfer, which resulted from the U.S.'s strategic change, as a move to achieve self-reliance. Conservatives disregarded any potential security threat that may occur from strategic flexibility but only criticized the leftist government for imperiling security due to the OPCON transfer. Leftists got the cold shoulder from the public because they resorted to radical slogans and violence. The USFK's strategic flexibility entails a risk that the ROK may be unexpectedly involved in (overseas conflicts) such as U.S.-China disputes over Taiwan. Strategic flexibility also is related to the ROK's military sovereignty. What we need to do is to draw a line between the U.S.'s role of defending the ROK and its role of serving as global forces. We should not ignore challenges (associated with strategic flexibility) just by emphasizing the issue of OPCON transfer. We should consider what is best for our national interest. FEATURES -------------- ASSISTANT SECRETARY CAMPBELL: "WE TAKE THE ROK'S CONCERNS ABOUT OPCON TRANSFER SERIOUSLY" (JoongAng Ilbo, February 4, 2010, Page 4) By Reporter Kang Chan-ho As to the transfer of the wartime operational control to the ROK military (OPCON) in 2012, visiting U.S. Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell said on February 3, "We have heard (some of )the concerns (mentioned by senior military and other officials) in South Korea. We take (some of) the concerns seriously," adding, "This is a matter for (further) high-level dialogue between our two countries." He said during a roundtable SEOUL 00000152 004 OF 006 with reporters at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, "At this juncture, we think the most important steps will be to reassure (our partners of) the seriousness of our (defense) commitment to the ROK now and into the future." In this regard, some media outlets reported, "The ROKG conveyed concerns about the OPCON transfer (to the U.S.) through Assistant Secretary Campbell and sounded out the U.S. intention to renegotiate it." However, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Kim Young-sun denied it, saying, "The ROKG did not sound out the U.S. on the renegotiation of the OPCON transfer, nor did it deliver the concerns to Assistant Secretary Campbell. Assistant Secretary Campbell made the remarks to the effect that as an ally, (the U.S.) was listening carefully to various opinions in Korea. " The U.S. Embassy also emphasized, "The position of Assistant Secretary Campbell and the USG is that the OPCON transfer should proceed as previously agreed." Assistant Secretary Campbell said, in reference to the ROK-U.S. coordination over an inter-Korean summit, "We could not have more confidence in the administration of President Lee Myung-bak," adding, "We have been closely consulted by the South Korean government on their proposals and prospects for high-level dialogue with the North Koreans, including the prospects and possibilities of a summit." He also stressed, "We support the ROK's efforts toward a summit. What is clear is that the essential next step is North Korea's return to the Six-Party Talks." Regarding the possibility that the Pentagon may pull some of its troops out of the Peninsula, he said, "Any modest flexibility would be, in an emergency like an earthquake elsewhere, the possibility for the ROK and the U.S. to deploy together outside of the Peninsula to be able to do those tasks together over a short period of time," and stressed, "This is in no way a reduction of our military capability on the Korean Peninsula." As to the lifting of sanctions against North Korea and the resumption of the Six-Party Talks after peace treaty talks, he said, "The American perspective is, as we say in English, 'first things first.' Until North Korea returns to the Six-Party Talks and recommits to the steps they took in 2005 (the September 19 Joint Statement) and 2007 (the February 13 agreement),the United States will not be prepared either to ease sanctions nor begin discussions on other issues, like an establishment of a peace regime." Asked about the impact of sanctions against North Korea, including those through U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874, he explained, "(The sanctions) have impeded North Korea's provocative behavior such as exports of weapons and the like. So we do think that these sanctions have begun to bite in North Korea." ASSISTANT SECRETARY CAMPBELL: "WE WILL NOT DISCUSS A PEACE REGIME UNTIL NORTH KOREA RETURNS TO THE SIX-PARTY TALKS" (Hankyoreh Shinmun, February 4, 2010, Page 2) By Reporter Kang Chan-ho As to the transfer of the wartime operational control to the ROK military (OPCON) in 2012, visiting U.S. Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell said on February 3, "We have heard (some of )the concerns (mentioned by senior military and other officials) in South Korea. We take (some of) the concerns seriously," adding, "This is a matter for (further) high-level dialogue between our two countries." He said during a roundtable with reporters at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, "At this juncture, we think the most important steps will be to reassure (our partners of) the seriousness of our (defense) commitment to the ROK now and into the future." In this regard, some media outlets reported, "The ROKG conveyed concerns about the OPCON transfer (to the U.S.) through Assistant Secretary Campbell and sounded out the U.S. intention to renegotiate it." However, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Kim Young-sun denied SEOUL 00000152 005 OF 006 it, saying, "The ROKG did not sound out the U.S. on the renegotiation of the OPCON transfer, nor did it deliver the concerns to Assistant Secretary Campbell. Assistant Secretary Campbell made the remarks to the effect that as an ally, (the U.S.) was listening carefully to various opinions in Korea. " The U.S. Embassy also emphasized, "The position of Assistant Secretary Campbell and the USG is that the OPCON transfer should proceed as previously agreed." Assistant Secretary Campbell said, in reference to the ROK-U.S. coordination over an inter-Korean summit, "We could not have more confidence in the administration of President Lee Myung-bak," adding, "We have been closely consulted by the South Korean government on their proposals and prospects for high-level dialogue with the North Koreans, including the prospects and possibilities of a summit." He also stressed, "We support the ROK's efforts toward a summit. What is clear is that the essential next step is North Korea's return to the Six-Party Talks." Regarding the possibility that the Pentagon may pull some of its troops out of the Peninsula, he said, "Any modest flexibility would be, in an emergency like an earthquake elsewhere, the possibility for the ROK and the U.S. to deploy together outside of the Peninsula to be able to do those tasks together over a short period of time," and stressed, "This is in no way a reduction of our military capability on the Korean Peninsula." As to the lifting of sanctions against North Korea and the resumption of the Six-Party Talks after peace treaty talks, he said, "The American perspective is, as we say in English, 'first things first.' Until North Korea returns to the Six-Party Talks and recommits to the steps they took in 2005 (the September 19 Joint Statement) and 2007 (the February 13 agreement),the United States will not be prepared either to ease sanctions nor begin discussions on other issues, like an establishment of a peace regime." Asked about the impact of sanctions against North Korea, including those through U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874, he explained, "(The sanctions) have impeded North Korea's provocative behavior such as exports of weapons and the like. So we do think that these sanctions have begun to bite in North Korea." CAMPBELL: "THE U.S. TAKES THE ROK'S CONCERNS ABOUT OPCON TRANSFER SERIOUSLY" (Chosun Ilbo, February 4, 2010, Page 3) By Editorial Writer Park Doo-sik As to the transfer of the wartime operational control from the U.S. military to the ROK military on April 17, 2012, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell said on February 3, "We have heard (some of) the concerns (mentioned by senior military and other officials) in South Korea. We take (some of) the concerns seriously." Assistant Secretary Campbell, who arrived in Seoul on February 2, said during a roundtable with reporters at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul on the 3rd, "We will do nothing to undermine the security (or confidence of our partners here in) South Korea." He also noted, "Both of our military establishments have taken important steps on the path towards the OPCON transfer, and we have enormous confidence in the capabilities of the ROK military and the judgment of senior leaders here in South Korea," adding, "The most important steps will be to reassure our partners of the seriousness of our security commitment to the Korean Peninsula now and into the future." In addition, he stated, "There is no desire on the part of the U.S. to walk away from (our commitments on) the Korean Peninsula." If his remarks are put together, they mean that (the U.S.) will proceed with the OPCON transfer as scheduled but is considering various steps to reassure the ROK people that the OPCON transfer will not put the security of the Korean Peninsula in danger. SEOUL 00000152 006 OF 006 Regarding the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) released by the Department of Defense on February 1 - in which the Pentagon said that the so-called "strategic flexibility" for rapid deployment of USFK abroad to conflict regions will be strengthened after the introduction of three-year, family accompanied tours by USFK in three or four years - Assistant Secretary Campbell said, "(Any) modest flexibility (that is created) has to be in the context of (a very secure and deep commitment on the part of the United States to) the security of the Korean Peninsula." Asked about the examples of modest flexibility, he said, "I think the desire would be, in an emergency like an earthquake elsewhere, the possibility for the ROK and the U.S. to deploy together outside of the Peninsula to be able to do those tasks together over a short period of time." He said in reference to an inter-Korean summit, "We support the ROK's efforts toward an inter-Korean summit. We are in close consultation." As to North Korea's call for peace treaty talks between the U.S. and North Korea, he noted, "What's most important right now, at the top of the list, no distractions, are the resumption of the Six-Party Talks and the return of North Korea to that framework,"" Assistant Secretary Campbell will meet with Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan and Unification Minister Hyun In-taek on February 4 to discuss the OPCON transfer, the resumption of the Six-Party Talks and an inter-Korean summit. ROKG SOUNDS OUT THE U.S. ON RENEGOTIATION OF OPCON TRANSFER (Kyunghyang Shinmun, February 4, Front page; Excerpts) By Reporters Park Seong-jin and Yu Shin-mo Assistant Secretary Campbell says the U.S. is taking (the ROK's concerns about the OPCON transfer) seriously and further high-level dialogue between the U.S. and the ROK is needed. The ROKG has reportedly sounded out the U.S. on engaging in renegotiation to delay the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) to the ROK. Assistant Secretary Campbell said that the U.S. is taking those concerns seriously. Now, attention is turning to whether renegotiation will be held on the timing of the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON),which is scheduled for April 2012. A high-ranking government official said on October 3 that the ROKG conveyed concerns about the OPCON transfer to the USG, which have been raised by conservatives, the military and senior citizens, adding that the U.S. is taking these concerns seriously. The ROKG expressed this position to Assistant Secretary Campbell, who is visiting the ROK, and sounded out the U.S. on holding a renegotiation to postpone the timing of the transfer of wartime operational control. After a meeting with Campbell, Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Yong-joon said that they discussed security cooperation between the ROK and the U.S. including the USFK issue. He said, "We consulted on OPCON transfer. For now, both countries share the same thoughts and the same understanding on OPCON transfer. We have no special differences in opinion." (Editor's Note: The same story was also carried by Kookmin Ilbo.) STEPHENS