Cablegate: Media Reaction Q Trilateral Meeting in Seoul

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UNCLAS TOKYO 006106

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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: MEDIA REACTION Q TRILATERAL MEETING IN SEOUL
CONCERNING NORTH KOREA - TOKYO

LEAD STORIES: All six Friday morning papers front-paged
the trilateral meeting held Thursday in Seoul among
Secretary of State Rice, Japanese Foreign Minister Aso

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and Korean Foreign Minister Ban. The papers also front-
paged Chinese State Councilor TangQs meeting with North
Korean leader Kim Jong Il, also held Thursday in
Pyongyang.

1. "What Punitive Measures Will South Korea Take Toward
North Korea?" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri
editorialized (10/20): "Aside from China, South Korea
should play an important role in ensuring that Resolution
1718, adopted by the UN Security Council (UNSC), is
effective in stopping North Korea's nuclear armament.
This is a matter of serious concern for Japan, which is
threatened by the North's nuclear and ballistic missile
programs. At their trilateral meeting Thursday in Seoul,
Secretary of State Rice, Japanese Foreign Minister Aso

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and South Korean Foreign Minister Ban decided not to
approve of North Korea's nuclear armament, while agreeing
to effective enforcement of the UNSC resolution calling
for sanctions.... Should China's diplomatic bid to
persuade North Korea to return to the six-party talks
fail, prompting the North to conduct a second nuclear
test, the UNSC would have to adopt much stricter
sanctions against the North. There will be no other way
but to strengthen the enforcement of a 'net of sanctions'
around the North to prevent the North Koreans from
resorting to nuclear adventurism. Both the US and Japan
should work harder to get China and South Korea to
strengthen punitive measures against the North."

2. "Japan, US and South Korea Should Regain Solidarity to
Deal with North Korea" An editorial in the business-
oriented Nihon Keizai commented (10/20): "Diplomatic
moves are afoot among countries concerned to deal with
North Korea, which conducted a nuclear test last week.
Chinese State Councilor Tang visited Pyongyang and handed
a message from Chinese President Hu over to North Korean
leader Kim Jong Il during their meeting. In Seoul,
Secretary of State Rice had a trilateral meeting with

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Japanese Foreign Minister Aso and South Korean Foreign
Minister Ban. At the meeting, they confirmed the need for
the three countries to work together toward the
enforcement of Resolution 1718 in a bid to call on the
North to abandon its nuclear program. It is important for
Japan, the US and South Korea to join hands first and
then work closely with China to deal with North Korea. In
this regard, the outcome of the trilateral in Seoul was a
step forward, but the ultimate goal is to realize the
North's abandonment of its nuclear program. These nations
cannot make an incomplete compromise with North Korea
that would result in the recognition of the North as a
nuclear power."

SCHIEFFER

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