INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Death of Kim Dae-Jung

Published: Wed 19 Aug 2009 04:05 AM
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PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #1912 2310405
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 190405Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5544
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
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RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
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RHMFIUU/USFJ PRIORITY
INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 5952
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 8282
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RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 6464
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 9759
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0495
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 2987
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 7158
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UNCLAS TOKYO 001912
SIPDIS
STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR,
EAP/J, EAP/P, PM;
USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE;
TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI;
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA;
CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE;
PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA
SUBJECT: TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - DEATH OF KIM DAE-JUNG
1. LEAD STORIES: All Wednesday morning papers gave top or front-page
play to the official start on Tuesday of the campaign for the August
30 House of Representatives election and the death of former South
Korean President Kim Dae-jung on Tuesday.
2. "Mixed Results of 'Sunshine Policy'" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun
wrote in an editorial (8/19): "Former South Korean President Kim
Dae-jung has passed away. He dedicated his life to the
democratization [of South Korea] and the promotion of human rights.
Although he adopted the 'Sunshine Policy' to seek reconciliation
with North Korea, the problem has been left for the next generation
due to Pyongyang's persistence in conducting missile tests.... We
would have to say that the 'Sunshine Policy' produced mixed results,
as it failed to change North Korea's hard-line stance. Will we be
able to develop new measures to urge North Korea to abandon its
nuclear development programs by fully examining the results and
limitations of the 'Sunshine Policy'? This is a major challenge that
not only South Korea, but also the U.S., Japan, and neighboring
nations should undertake."
3. "Kim Dae-jung Opened New Era in Japan-ROK Relations" The liberal
Asahi editorialized (8/19): "From the Japanese viewpoint, the
impression of former President Kim Dae-jung's efforts toward
reconciliation with Japan is even stronger than that of his work on
the democratization of the country and its peaceful coexistence with
North Korea.... Although there was some friction in the relationship
between Japan and South Korea toward the end of his term over former
Prime Minister Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni Shrine and the Japanese
textbook issue, it is certain that bilateral relations deepened both
in quantity and quality [during his tenure]. We should always
remember the strong leadership he demonstrated in carrying out his
duties."
ZUMWALT
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