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Cablegate: Seoul - Media Reaction

Published: Mon 31 Aug 2009 08:03 AM
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ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 310803Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
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RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
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RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0237
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RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
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RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 1216
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RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 7150
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RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1859
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2467
UNCLAS SEOUL 001390
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC: DPRK
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"INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SHOULD CONTINUE TO PUT PRESSURE ON NORTH
KOREA"
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized (08/31): "It could be said
that North Korea has adopted conciliatory tactics in order to avoid
difficulties caused by international pressure, but as shown in its
weapons shipment to Iran, North Korea has not fundamentally changed.
The way for the North to survive will open up when it gives up the
delusion that Pyongyang, while not giving up its nuclear programs,
can deceive the international community with conciliatory
gestures."
EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC: JAPAN'S ELECTIONS
----------------------------------------
"JAPAN'S HISTORIC POWER TRANSITION; THE JAPANESE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
GOVERNMENT, CAN IT INCREASE NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES' CONFIDENCE?"
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized (08/31): "The Democratic
Party favors the idea of free trade agreements with the ROK and the
U.S. On North Korea, the Democratic Party of Japan rejects the
North as a nuclear power in the same manner as the ROK and the U.S.
The cooperation of the international community including the ROK,
Japan and the U.S. is crucial in maintaining this principle after
Japan's transition of power."
"HOW WILL THE POWER CHANGE IN JAPAN AFFECT KOREA?"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (08/31): "Yukio Hatoyama, who
will be Japan's next prime minister, has stressed the importance of
Asia-focused diplomacy, steering away from U.S.-focused diplomacy.
Hatoyama, who leads the Democratic Party, said that Japan's
diplomacy, up to now, has been tailored to U.S. circumstances but
from now on should be on an equal footing with the U.S. Since the
cold war era, the U.S.-Japan alliance has served as an axis of
Northeast Asia security alongside the ROK-U.S. alliance. There is a
likelihood that the U.S.-Japan alliance will change in concert with
the ROK-U.S. alliance."
"ELECTION REVOLUTION ENDS LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY ERA IN JAPAN"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (08/31): "If Japan
intends to speak of an East Asian community, it needs to act as a
defender of peace and security in the region. It is common
knowledge that it has failed to do so over the years. The country
has stirred up insecurity in the region with its historical views,
territorial conflicts and military buildup. Japan also has had a
deleterious effect on the Six-Party Talks on the North Korean
nuclear issue due to its insistence on bringing up citizen abduction
issues that are not directly related to the agenda. A solution to
the nuclear issue is urgently needed if the East Asian community
described by Hatoyama is to be created. In that regard, it is
noteworthy that he is opening up the possibility for dialogue with
North Korea."
TOKOLA
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