Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10SEOUL319
2010-02-25 08:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
VZCZCXRO3915 RR RUEHGH DE RUEHUL #0319 0560807 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 250807Z FEB 10 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7207 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 9746 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 7403 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0818 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 7333 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 1815 RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 5661 RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 4584 RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 7800 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2051 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0133 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2420 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 3042
UNCLAS SEOUL 000319
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
Subject: Media Reaction; Seoul
China
Nuclear proliferation: N. Korea, Iran
"POWER OF OBAMA-STYLE SANCTIONS ON N. KOREA"
Deputy Political News Editor Kang Chan-ho observed in
right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo (02/26): "While the greatest military
challenge facing the U.S. is (the war in) Afghanistan, its greatest
diplomatic challenge is to deter Iran from developing nuclear
weapons. Whenever the Obama Administration gives warnings about
Iran, it typically mentions North Korea. As such, if the U.S. shows
any sign of ignoring the North's nuclear development, such an action
will immediately prompt Iran to misjudge that it is okay to continue
its nuclear development. This is why the ROKG is closely watching
developments surrounding the Iranian (nuclear) issue. ... We most
likely have a stronger desire than Ambassador Bosworth to see peace
on the Korean Peninsula by engaging North Korea. However ... a
cool-headed approach is required when dealing with North Korea."
Afghanistan
"UNILATERAL TROOP REDEPLOYMENT DECISION SHOULD BE WITHDRAWN"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (02/26): "The
deployment decision is a far cry from the current state of affairs
in the international community. ... Far from rooting out terrorism,
the war and occupation (in Afghanistan) is intensifying resistance
from local militants. Accordingly, the U.S. announced plans to
start withdrawing troops next year. ... Civilian provincial
reconstruction team (PRT) workers have been targets of attack
because militants treat them the same as occupying forces. ... With
this decision (to send troops to Afghanistan),ROK citizens, as well
as the troops deployed, will face a greater danger of being
attacked."
TOKOLA
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
Subject: Media Reaction; Seoul
China
Nuclear proliferation: N. Korea, Iran
"POWER OF OBAMA-STYLE SANCTIONS ON N. KOREA"
Deputy Political News Editor Kang Chan-ho observed in
right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo (02/26): "While the greatest military
challenge facing the U.S. is (the war in) Afghanistan, its greatest
diplomatic challenge is to deter Iran from developing nuclear
weapons. Whenever the Obama Administration gives warnings about
Iran, it typically mentions North Korea. As such, if the U.S. shows
any sign of ignoring the North's nuclear development, such an action
will immediately prompt Iran to misjudge that it is okay to continue
its nuclear development. This is why the ROKG is closely watching
developments surrounding the Iranian (nuclear) issue. ... We most
likely have a stronger desire than Ambassador Bosworth to see peace
on the Korean Peninsula by engaging North Korea. However ... a
cool-headed approach is required when dealing with North Korea."
Afghanistan
"UNILATERAL TROOP REDEPLOYMENT DECISION SHOULD BE WITHDRAWN"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (02/26): "The
deployment decision is a far cry from the current state of affairs
in the international community. ... Far from rooting out terrorism,
the war and occupation (in Afghanistan) is intensifying resistance
from local militants. Accordingly, the U.S. announced plans to
start withdrawing troops next year. ... Civilian provincial
reconstruction team (PRT) workers have been targets of attack
because militants treat them the same as occupying forces. ... With
this decision (to send troops to Afghanistan),ROK citizens, as well
as the troops deployed, will face a greater danger of being
attacked."
TOKOLA