Cablegate: Media Reaction in Seoul

R 240518Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2413
USDOC WASHDC 7819
DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
AMEMBASSY TOKYO
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMEMBASSY BEIJING
CIA WASHINGTON DC
SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS SEOUL 002265

STATE FOR EAP/PD FOR SWALKER, EAP/P, EAP/K
STATE PASS USDA ELECTRONICALLY FOR FAX/ITP SCHEIKH
STATE PASS USTR FOR RCASSIDY
USDOC FOR 4430/IEP/OPB/EAP/JDONIUS
TREASURY FOR OASIA/MGREWE
CINCPAC FOR J-74

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR ECON KS US KPAO KMDR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION IN SEOUL

Subject: Media Reaction; Seoul

East Asia and Pacific: DPRK, nuclear program, Six-Party Talks

"Momentum of Six-Party Talks Should Be Maintained to Conclude North
Korea's Nuclear Verification"

Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized (11/24): "North Korea should
bear in mind that the framework of the Six-Party Talks will not
change much even after the term of the Bush Administration expires.
Since the next Democratic administration will not come forward to
bear the cost of North Korea's nuclear dismantlement alone, any
dialogue or negotiation between the North and the U.S. will
inevitably be held within the Six-Party framework. The members of
the Six-Party Talks are fully prepared to provide additional
compensation to the North if the communist state cooperates in
verifying its nuclear programs. In this regard, if Pyongyang simply
intends to test the Six-Party process, favors (from the other
countries) will certainly decrease. It is up to Pyongyang whether
the Obama Administration's policy toward North Korea will be based
on pressure or an inducement."

Stephens

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