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UNCLAS SEOUL 000181
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
Subject: Media Reaction; Seoul
North Korea
"THE QUICKER N. KOREA RETURNS TO THE SIX-PARTY TALKS, THE BETTER"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (02/08): "The
willingness of countries involved in the Six-Party Talks to resolve
the North Korean nuclear issue through negotiations is stronger than
ever. This is a good opportunity for North Korea to ease its
security concerns and reestablish its relations with the
international community. The North is undergoing an unprecedented
economic crisis following international sanctions and its botched
currency reform. In this situation, if tensions about its nuclear
program continue to escalate, not only North Korean citizens but
also the Pyongyang regime itself will face greater difficulties.
The quicker the North returns to the Six-Party Talks, the better."
STEPHENS