Cablegate: Seoul - Media Reaction

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RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2550

UNCLAS SEOUL 001527

SIPDIS

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

UN SUMMIT ON CLIMATE CHANGE
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"CHINA ISSUES PLAN TO CUT GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS; NOW IS TIME FOR
U.S. TO RESPOND"

Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (09/24): "China pledged
to curb its carbon dioxide emissions by a notable margin by 2020...
The U.S. should take a forward-looking attitude like China by having
the cap-and-trade bill passed without delay in the Senate. This
will pave the way for a new pact to be struck in Copenhagen to
replace the Kyoto Protocol which expires in 2012."

"Taking Initiative on Climate Change"

Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (09/24): "Chinese
President Hu Jintao's promise of "marked reductions" is significant
in that it marks a breakthrough in discussions, as China can now
serve as a locomotive for other developing countries and the U.S.
... Above all, the key is Washington's active attitude. President
Obama should exercise leadership to persuade Congress to join this
noble global cause. China as well must fulfill its responsibility
as a "G-2" nation by presenting specific reduction targets, and the
ROK must also assume an active approach."

EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC: DPRK
---------------------------

"Why Are Seoul and Washington Out of Sync?"

Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (09/24): "The reason why the
U.S. is cool to President Lee's proposal is that, with the U.S.
stressing both sanctions and dialogue toward the North, Washington
is not pleased that President Lee's 'grand bargain' seems to have
pulled sanctions against the North off the table. "

"Truth and Falsehood of Nuclear Umbrella"

Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (09/24): "If North Korea
carries out a nuclear attack, will the U.S. extend its nuclear
umbrella (to the ROK) at the right time? We are not sure whether
the U.S. president will mount a nuclear attack against North Korea
without any hesitation. If North Korea executes a terror attack
with small nuclear weapons, the U.S. may be in a position to wage a
nuclear war even though it does not pose a direct threat to its own
security. At this time, if the North offers compensation (for its
action) while making some plausible excuses, the U.S. president will
be likely to make a "rational decision" by dismissing North Korea's
nuclear attack as bygones. We should declare that if North Korea is
recognized as a nuclear state, we have no choice but to develop
nuclear weapons. This is the only way to prevent North Korea from
being recognized as a nuclear state with the condition that it will
not proliferate its nuclear weapons."

STEPHENS

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