Cablegate: Seoul - Media Reaction

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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SEOUL 001592

SIPDIS

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

Subject: Media Reaction; Seoul

EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC: DPRK

"China Weakens Impact of Pressure on N. Korea"

Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (10/07): "North Korean leader
Kim Jong-il's statement, 'North Korea is ready to hold multilateral
talks and these talks include the Six-Party Talks,' suggests that
North Korea, depending on circumstances, may push trilateral talks
with the U.S. and China, instead of the Six-Party Talks. After all,
Chinese Premier Wen's visit to Pyongyang resulted in massive
economic aid to North Korea in return for the North's mere
'expression of willingness' to return to multilateral talks, instead
of its clear promise to return to the Six-Party Talks. This
situation amounts to China repeating the mistake of the past of
rewarding North Korea before it has done anything, especially when
UN sanctions are still in effect. This approach weakens
international pressure on North Korea and the negotiating powers of
the countries in the Six-Party Talks."

"No Point in Six-Party Talks If They Only Confirm What Is Discussed
in U.S.-North Korea Bilateral Talks"

Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo's editorialized (10/07): "... North
Korean leader Kim Jong-il's (statement) reveals his belief that
discussion on the nuclear issue should be between the U.S. and North
Korea, and that the Six-Party Talks will confirm (whatever outcome
results from those talks). The U.S. believes, however, that any
discussions about the resolution of the nuclear issue must be within
the framework of the Six-Party Talks and that U.S.-North Korea
dialogue should serve as a stepping stone for the multilateral
talks. A visit to Pyongyang by U.S. Special Representative for
North Korea Policy Stephen Bosworth is likely to be realized when
this difference in position is narrowed to some degree. ... The
two-track approach of 'pressure and dialogue' should be maintained
until there is an assurance that North Korea's nuclear abandonment
is irreversible."

"China's Failure to Do More"

Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized (10/07): "It is highly likely
that the North mentioned the Six-Party Talks as a face-saving
measure for China. China's (economic) assistance may also violate
U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874 sanctioning North Korea. ...
If Beijing promised assistance banned by the U.N. to maintain its
influence over Pyongyang, it does not deserve a seat at the U.N.
Security Council. Rather, this could further encourage North Korea
to develop nuclear weapons, judging that international sanctions
against it might no longer be as strict as they used to be."

"N. Korea Throws Ball for Six-Party Talks into Other Countries'
Court"

Moderate Hankook ILbo editorialized (10/07): "The ball is now in
other Six-Party countries' court. ... The U.S. is likely to take
cautious steps to make sure that North Korea will return to the
Six-Party Talks while the international community continues to
cooperate to enforce sanctions against North Korea. The U.S.,
however, should not miss this rare opportunity by moving too
slowly."

"Lee Administration Must Change Obsolete N. Korea Policy"

Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (10/07): "Broadly
speaking, the significance of this North Korea-China meeting for the
international community, including the ROK, is twofold. First, with
China agreeing to large-scale economic aid to North Korea, sanctions
against North Korea have been rendered virtually powerless. With
China-which accounted for over 70 percent of North Korean trade last

SEOUL 00001592 002 OF 002

year -pledging large-scale economic cooperation, pressuring the
North through sanctions is nothing more than a joke. The other
point of significance is that the two nations have pledged to
strengthen their friendship 'for generations to come.' This means
China will support the North Korean regime in the long-term. One
could say a honeymoon era has begun between North Korea and China.
The Lee Myung-bak Administration is greatly at fault for the fact
that the situation has reached this point, since it has thoroughly
blocked exchanges and cooperation with North Korea."

STEPHENS

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