Cablegate: Seoul - Media Reaction

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UNCLAS SEOUL 001441

SIPDIS

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

North Korea
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"WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO PUT PRESSURE ON PYONGYANG TO MAKE PROGRESS ON
NORTH KOREA NUCLEAR ISSUE"

Kim Sung-han, professor at the Graduate School of International
Studies of Korea University, opined in right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo
(09/09): "The reason why the North insists on bilateral talks with
the U.S. is to break up a "pressure front" formed by China, the
U.S., Japan, Russia, and the ROK by improving relations with the
U.S. China, the biggest beneficiary of the Six-Party Talks, agrees
(to this assessment). U.S. Special Representative for North Korea
Policy Stephen Bosworth, who recently visited Seoul, also said, "I
don't think there's been any fundamental change (in the North.)
We're prepared to engage bilaterally as well with the North Koreans,
but only in the context of the Six-Party process and in order to
facilitate the Six-Party exercise." The determination of Japan and
Russia toward the denuclearization of North Korea is also strong.
The ultimate resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue is to draw
North Korea into a "new world" by continuing pressure on the North
based on close cooperation among the five nations and the
international community."

TOKOLA

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