VZCZCXRO5749
OO RUEHGH
DE RUEHUL #1399/01 2440713
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 010713Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5531
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 9101
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC//DDI/OEA//
RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI//FPA//
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC//DB-Z//
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0244
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6574
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 6651
RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 1223
RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 4978
RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 3941
RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 7157
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1471
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2787
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1866
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2474
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SEOUL 001399
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; September 1, 2009
TOP HEADLINES
-------------
Chosun Ilbo, Dong-a Ilbo
Blue House to Have "Double-Headed System"
Led by Presidential Chief of Staff and
Newly Created Post of Chief of Policy
JoongAng Ilbo
"Japanese Version of People Power" Ends Ruling Conservatives' Long
Grip on Power
Hankook Ilbo, Segye Ilbo, Seoul Shinmun
Blue House Secretariat Reshuffle is Aimed at Enhancing Policy
Coordination, Publicity and Relations with Political Parties
Hankyoreh Shinmun
Japanese Public Sentiment Hoping for New History, Change and
Coexistence Brings About Historic Change of Government
DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS
---------------------
Yesterday, President Lee Myung-bak telephoned Yukio Hatoyama, the
leader of the Democratic Party of Japan, to congratulate him on his
party's sweeping victory in Sunday's general election. (All)
During the 20-minute conversation, President Lee expressed hope for
a new era in ROK-Japan relations. The two leaders agreed to
cooperate closely to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue. (All)
According to the Unification Ministry, starting today, restrictions
on ROK citizens' cross-border land trips to North Korea will be
lifted, following the North's offer last month to ease its rules for
border crossings. (Hankyoreh, Segye, Seoul, KBS, YTN)
MEDIA ANALYSIS
--------------
-Japan's Elections
------------------
Japan's August 30 general election continued to capture the
attention of the ROK media.
All ROK media reported on yesterday's 20-minute telephone
conversation between President Lee Myung-bak and Yukio Hatoyama, the
leader of the Democratic Party of Japan that is set to take power
from the Liberal Democratic Party after a landslide victory in
Sunday's general election. According to media reports, President
Lee expressed hope for a new era in ROK-Japan relations, and the two
leaders agreed to cooperate closely to resolve the North Korean
nuclear issue.
Conservative Chosun Ilbo carried an inside-page article entitled
"New Japan's Choice." The article raised the possibility that the
Democratic Party of Japan may seek a Japanese version of
"dismantling the Cold War" by redirecting the focus of Japan's
foreign policy away from the U.S. toward Asia. The article also
speculated that the Democratic Party may seek direct talks with
North Korea.
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized: "In order to create an
'East Asian community,' a framework for 'stable economic cooperation
and security' that the Democratic Party of Japan desires, the
resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue and improvement in
Japan-North Korea relations should be given precedence. In a
situation where North Korea remains a threat to regional security,
we cannot realize regional peace and security. It is time for Japan
to make more proactive efforts to improve relations with North
Korea. Improved relations between the two countries will also help
SEOUL 00001399 002 OF 002
resolve Japan's history issues."
Newspapers carried the following front-and inside-page headlines:
"'Japanese Version of People Power' Ends Ruling Conservatives' Long
Grip on Power" (right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo); "New Japan Likely to
End Dependence on U.S. and Seek Dialogue with N. Korea... It Will
Likely Opt for 'Prudent Change' In Consideration of Reality"
(conservative Dong-a Ilbo); "'New Honeymoon Period' Expected between
ROK and Japan, which will Provide Less Conflict over History...
There is Also Possibility of Dialogue between Japan and N. Korea"
(moderate Hankook Ilbo); and "Japanese Public Sentiment Hoping for
New History, Change and Coexistence Brings About Historic Change of
Government" (left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun.)
TOKOLA