Cablegate: Seoul - Media Reaction

VZCZCXRO9706
RR RUEHGH
DE RUEHUL #1696 2990746
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 260746Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6031
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 9314
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 6892
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0436
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RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI
RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 1414
RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 5205
RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 4158
RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 7368
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1657
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2966
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2045
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2652

UNCLAS SEOUL 001696

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: North Korea's new initiatives, nuclear
program, Six-Party Talks

"FIRST U.S.- N. KOREA CONTACT SINCE THE LAUNCH OF THE OBAMA
ADMINISTRATION SHOULD LEAD TO THE NORTH'S RETURN TO SIX-PARTY
TALKS"

Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (10/26): "It appears
that North Korea's (recent actions) are aimed at easing
international sanctions which have intensified and disrupting
cooperation between the ROK, the U.S. and Japan. Following the
North's second nuclear test, the three countries implemented a
two-track approach of 'pressure and dialogue' to resolve the nuclear
issue. This approach should be maintained until the North takes
irreversible steps toward denuclearization. ... The North's current
flurry of peace overtures should not in any way lead to a hasty
lifting of sanctions against the country."

STEPHENS

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