Celebrating 25 Years of Scoop
Licence needed for work use Learn More

Search

 

Cablegate: Seoul - Media Reaction

VZCZCXRO3915
RR RUEHGH
DE RUEHUL #0319 0560807
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 250807Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7207
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 9746
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 7403
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0818
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 7333
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI
RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 1815
RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 5661
RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 4584
RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 7800
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2051
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0133
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2420
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 3042

UNCLAS SEOUL 000319


SIPDIS

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

Subject: Media Reaction; Seoul
China

Nuclear proliferation: N. Korea, Iran

"POWER OF OBAMA-STYLE SANCTIONS ON N. KOREA"

Deputy Political News Editor Kang Chan-ho observed in
right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo (02/26): "While the greatest military
challenge facing the U.S. is (the war in) Afghanistan, its greatest
diplomatic challenge is to deter Iran from developing nuclear
weapons. Whenever the Obama Administration gives warnings about
Iran, it typically mentions North Korea. As such, if the U.S. shows
any sign of ignoring the North's nuclear development, such an action
will immediately prompt Iran to misjudge that it is okay to continue
its nuclear development. This is why the ROKG is closely watching
developments surrounding the Iranian (nuclear) issue. ... We most
likely have a stronger desire than Ambassador Bosworth to see peace
on the Korean Peninsula by engaging North Korea. However ... a
cool-headed approach is required when dealing with North Korea."

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Afghanistan

"UNILATERAL TROOP REDEPLOYMENT DECISION SHOULD BE WITHDRAWN"

Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (02/26): "The
deployment decision is a far cry from the current state of affairs
in the international community. ... Far from rooting out terrorism,
the war and occupation (in Afghanistan) is intensifying resistance
from local militants. Accordingly, the U.S. announced plans to
start withdrawing troops next year. ... Civilian provincial
reconstruction team (PRT) workers have been targets of attack
because militants treat them the same as occupying forces. ... With
this decision (to send troops to Afghanistan), ROK citizens, as well
as the troops deployed, will face a greater danger of being
attacked."


TOKOLA

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
World Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.