Cablegate: Seoul - Media Reaction

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DE RUEHUL #2013 3630749
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R 290749Z DEC 09
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UNCLAS SEOUL 002013

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

Subject: Media Reaction; Seoul

"Persistent Fears of Second 9/11 Terror Attacks"

Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (12/29): "As long as
Osama bin Laden-the mastermind behind the Sept. 11 terror attacks
that took the lives of some 3,000 people-is alive and well,
terrorist attacks by (members of) al-Qaida remain a serious threat.
In this regard, the fact that a suspected (terrorist) managed to
board a Detroit-bound airliner wearing an explosive device poses a
grave problem. ... A terrorist attack on a plane is not an issue
that a single country can prevent alone. ... Without close
international information-sharing and cooperation, (these types of
attacks) cannot be prevented. Needless to say, the ROK is not
(exempt from participating in) this international cooperation."

STEPHENS

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