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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 SEOUL 000865 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - PRESS BULLETI; June 1, 2009 
 
TOP HEADLINES 
------------- 
 
 
Chosun Ilbo 
¶N. Korea Declares Wide Coastal Area Off Limits 
 
JoongAng Ilbo, Dong-a Ilbo 
¶N. Korea's ICBM Arrives at Dongchang-ri Launch Pad on West Coast 
 
Hankook Ilbo, All TVs 
Defense Secretary Gates: "U.S. Will Immediately Respond 
if N. Korea Threatens Asian Allies" 
 
Hankyoreh Shinmun 
Police Crackdown on Mourners... Lee Myung-bak Administration Breeds 
Anger 
 
Segye Ilbo, Seoul Shinmun 
Written U.S. Nuclear Umbrella Pledge Sought for ROK 
 
 
DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS 
--------------------- 
 
 
According to a senior Blue House official, the leaders of the ROK 
and the U.S. are expected to discuss putting the U.S. pledge of a 
nuclear umbrella over the ROK in writing during their June 16 summit 
in Washington. (All) 
 
A U.S. delegation led by Deputy U.S. Secretary of State James 
Steinberg began a visit to the ROK, China, Japan and Russia on May 
31 to discuss a response to the North's nuclear test. (Dong-a, 
Hankyoreh, all TVs) 
 
 
 
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS 
-------------------------- 
 
The defense ministers of the ROK, the U.S. and Japan, during their 
May 30 trilateral meeting held on the sidelines of a security forum 
in Singapore, agreed to deal resolutely with North Korea's 
provocations and made it clear that North Korea will not be rewarded 
for its wrong behavior. (All) 
 
In particular, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said: "We will not 
stand idly by as North Korea builds the capability to wreak 
destruction on any target in the region or on us. We will not accept 
North Korea as a nuclear state." (All) 
 
Charles McQueary, director of operational test and evaluation at the 
Pentagon, said in a May 29 interview with Bloomberg that U.S. 
ground-based missile interceptors could take down a long-range North 
Korean missile before it reaches the U.S. mainland. (Chosun, 
JoongAng, Segye, Seoul) 
 
According to intelligence authorities, North Korea has declared a 
wide area in the Yellow Sea (West Sea) off Hwanghae and Pyongan 
Provinces off limits until the end of July. The North also sharply 
reduced military communications, apparently mindful of the ROK's 
monitoring. These moves might be signs of impending provocations 
from North Korea. (Chosun) 
 
Furthermore, according to an intelligence source, a North Korean 
cargo train carrying what appears to be an intercontinental 
ballistic missile (ICBM) has arrived at Dongchang-ri, a newly 
constructed launch pad on the North's west coast, in apparent 
preparation for another long-range missile launch. (Chosun, 
JoongAng. Dong-a, OhmyNews, VoiceofPeople) 
 
According to the Voice of America (VOA), North Korea allowed the two 
 
SEOUL 00000865  002 OF 007 
 
 
U.S. journalists who have been held in the North since March 17 to 
speak by telephone with their families on May 26 (Chosun, Dong-a, 
all TVs). This move might signal that North Korea wants to break 
through the impasse in relations with the U.S. (Chosun) 
 
 
MEDIA ANALYSIS 
--------------- 
 
-North Korea 
------------ 
North Korea's apparent preparation to launch another long-range 
missile (intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM) received wide 
press coverage. 
 
Citing intelligence authorities, conservative Chosun Ilbo 
front-paged a report that North Korea recently declared a wide area 
in the Yellow Sea (West Sea) off Hwanghae and Pyongan Provinces off 
limits until the end of July and reduced military communications to 
a significant extent, apparently mindful of the ROK's monitoring. 
The Chosun report interpreted these moves as signs of impending 
provocations from North Korea. 
 
Most ROK media also reported that a North Korean cargo train 
carrying what appears to be an ICBM has arrived at Dongchang-ri, a 
newly constructed launch pad on the North's west coast.  According 
to media reports citing ROK authorities, the object appears similar 
in size to the long-range rocket the North launched on April 5 and 
it could be an upgraded version of the Taepodong-2 missile, which 
has an estimated range of between 4,000km and 6,500 km. 
 
Furthermore, most media, citing ROK security officials, raised the 
possibility that North Korea might arrange the ICBM launch to 
coincide with the upcoming June 16 ROK-U.S. summit in Washington. 
 
Charles McQueary, director of operational test and evaluation at the 
Pentagon, was widely quoted as saying during a May 29 interview with 
Bloomberg that U.S. ground-based missile interceptors could take 
down a long-range North Korean missile before it reaches the U.S. 
mainland. 
 
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized: "What is urgent at this 
point is to come up with measures effective enough to bring North 
Korea to the (dialogue) table and to ultimately get the North to 
give up its nuclear ambitions without aggravating the situation on 
the Korean Peninsula.  Considering that Washington's past sanctions 
against Macau-based Banco Delta Asia (for its complicity in North 
Korea's illegal activities) put substantial pressure on North Korea, 
a well-designed new financial sanction against the North can be an 
appropriate option." 
 
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo's editorial argued: "The North's 
bellicosity and brinkmanship in the past had been more or less 
aiming for economic reward or political gain.  However, this time, 
it is after something different - international recognition as a 
nuclear power.  Now that we have learned of North Korea's goal, our 
next move is clear: to prevent North Korea from becoming a 
full-fledged nuclear power at all costs." 
 
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized: "Whether the ultimate goal 
of North Korea's long-range missile launches and additional nuclear 
test is to have dialogue with the U.S. or to possess nuclear weapons 
or both, it all boils down to a provocation aimed at testing the new 
U.S. administration.  However, many signs indicate that the U.S.'s 
warning that the international community has run out of patience 
(with North Korea's provocations) will not end up being a simple 
bluff." 
 
The May 30 ROK-U.S.-Japan defense ministerial meeting held on the 
sidelines of a security forum in Singapore also received wide 
coverage.  The ROK media gave straight reports that the three 
defense ministers agreed to deal resolutely with North Korea's 
provocations and made it clear that North Korea will not be rewarded 
for its wrong behavior. 
 
SEOUL 00000865  003 OF 007 
 
 
 
In particular, Defense Secretary Robert Gates's statement received 
wide attention from all print and broadcast media.   He was widely 
quoted: "U.S. President Barack Obama is open to dialogue with 
authoritarian governments willing to scrap belligerent policies, but 
the president is not naove, though hopeful. ... We will not stand 
idly by as North Korea builds the capability to wreak destruction on 
any target in the region or on us. We will not accept North Korea as 
a nuclear state." 
 
Most ROK media replayed a May 30 Voice of America (VOA) report 
saying that North Korea allowed the two U.S. journalists who have 
been held in the North since March 17 to speak by telephone with 
their families on May 26.  Conservative Chosun Ilbo cited a VOA 
analysis that North Korean might want to break through the impasse 
in relations with the U.S. 
 
All ROK media, citing a senior Blue House official, reported that 
the leaders of the ROK and the U.S. are expected to discuss putting 
the U.S. pledge of a nuclear umbrella over the ROK in writing during 
their June 16 summit in Washington. 
 
The Blue House official was widely quoted as saying: "It hasn't been 
determined whether the nuclear protection would be mentioned in a 
joint statement or included in a document detailing visions for the 
future of the ROK-U.S. alliance, but an agreement seems to have been 
reached (at the working level) to document (the U.S. nuclear 
protection.)" 
 
 
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS 
------------------- 
 
FIRM SANCTIONS ARE NEEDED FOR N. KOREA 
(Chosun Ilbo, June 1, 2009, Page 31) 
 
U.S. spy satellites have detected preparations in North Korea to 
launch an intercontinental ballistic missile.  Considering the time 
it takes to set up a launch pad and to fuel it up, North Korea may 
be able to fire it in mid-June, around the time the UN Security 
Council announces its decision on sanctions against North Korea and 
the scheduled summit on June 16 between President Lee Myung-bak and 
U.S. President Barack Obama.  The preparations come hard on the 
heels of a second nuclear test on May 25 and the launch of a 
long-range rocket purportedly carrying a satellite. 
 
On April 29, North Korea warned of "self-defense" measures, 
including the nuclear test, a fresh long-range missile launch and 
the reprocessing of spent fuel rods.  When the UN Security Council 
showed signs of imposing stronger sanctions on North Korea, the 
North said in another statement on Friday that "stronger 
self-defense measures" were necessary if the UN Security Council 
resorts to what it called more "provocations." 
 
The rocket the North fired on April 5 traveled 3,200 km, far short 
of the 5,500 km range that would make it an ICBM, and crashed into 
the north Pacific. North Korea will try to redeem itself now.  If it 
uses a Taepodong 2 missile capable of carrying a warhead, it could 
try to achieve a greater range by altering the amount of fuel and 
angle of the launch.  The distance from the launch pad to the U.S. 
states of Alaska and Hawaii is between 7,400 km to 7,600 km. 
 
A proper ICBM must be able to withstand the tremendous amount of 
heat generated by friction as it reenters the atmosphere on its way 
to the target.  Also, the nuclear warhead must be reduced to a 
weight of between 500 kg to 1 t that can be supported by the 
missile.  North Korea is trying to develop the ability to launch a 
nuclear attack against the continental United States. 
 
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said during an Asian security 
forum in Singapore on Saturday that the American government would 
"not sit idly by" as North Korea tries to develop the capability to 
destroy targets in Northeast Asia and the U.S. but added his 
government had no immediate plans to launch military operations and 
 
SEOUL 00000865  004 OF 007 
 
 
would first use diplomatic means. 
 
During the scheduled South Korea-U.S. summit on June 16, the two 
countries will expressly stipulate the extension of a nuclear 
umbrella over South Korea.  This could have the effect of sending a 
stronger warning to North Korea and partially alleviating the fears 
of the South Korean public.  But a defensive nuclear umbrella is 
already included in the defense plans agreed by the two governments, 
so it is uncertain how effective it will be in pressuring the 
North. 
 
What is urgent at this point is to come up with measures effective 
enough to bring North Korea to the (dialogue) table and to 
ultimately get the North to give up its nuclear ambitions without 
aggravating the situation on the Korean Peninsula.  Considering that 
Washington's past sanctions against Macau-based Banco Delta Asia 
(for its complicity in North Korea's illegal activities) put 
substantial pressure on North Korea, a well-designed new financial 
sanction against the North can be an appropriate option. 
 
(This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version.) 
 
 
A CALL TO ACTION AGAINST NORTH 
(JoongAng Ilbo, June 1, 2009, Page 38) 
 
The world suspects that North Korea is preparing to test-fire an 
intercontinental ballistic missile before the Seoul-Washington 
summit meeting.  On Friday, North Korea threatened the United 
Nations Security Council with "further self-defense measures" and 
snubbed its political partners China and Russia following warnings 
and rebukes over its nuclear test. 
 
The recalcitrant North continues to isolate itself even further. 
Last week, the North tested a nuclear device and fired a series of 
short-range missiles, finally threatening a military attack on South 
Korea.  The leaders appear to be losing their minds in a fit of 
desperation.  The North's bellicosity and brinkmanship in the past 
had been more or less aiming for economic reward or political gain. 
However, this time, it is after something different - international 
recognition as a nuclear power. 
 
Now that we have learned of North Korea's goal, our next move is 
clear: to prevent North Korea from becoming a full-fledged nuclear 
power at all costs.  The international community is already steering 
in that direction. The United Nations Security Council is more 
stringent than ever and is discussing tougher sanctions.  China and 
Russia did not hide their anger, canceling all planned diplomatic 
events with North Korea.  The defense ministers of South Korea, the 
United States and Japan declared they will never tolerate North 
Korea becoming a nuclear-armed state and issued a warning that the 
communist regime will pay for its provocations and threats to its 
neighbors. 
 
Never has the international community been so united and determined 
to block North Korea's nuclear program.  For us, this is the biggest 
time of crisis and at the same time a major opportunity.  To imagine 
a belligerent, isolated and unpredictable country like North Korea 
turning nuclear is a nightmare.  The current situation provides us 
with the chance to quench North Korea's nuclear ambitions 
altogether. 
 
To do so, the government must be cool-headed and scrupulous. It must 
champion an international campaign to rein in the North's nuclear 
development.  The North will likely heighten its military 
provocations and threats to the South. We have to be prepared and 
ready for a possible military clash.  We have to show that our 
determination will not waver and that we will weather whatever 
difficulties lie ahead. 
 
Democratic Party leader Chung Se-kyun made an inopportune 
suggestion, calling on the government to change its hard-line policy 
against North Korea.  Of course, we should not oppose North Korea 
 
SEOUL 00000865  005 OF 007 
 
 
all the time.  But the North has made its nuclear ambitions clear, 
and time is running out before it becomes nuclear-armed. 
 
We cannot turn to engagement and understanding at a time when North 
Korea is busy pursuing nuclear development.  Conciliatory gestures 
can wait until after the North gives up its nuclear programs. 
 
(This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version.) 
 
 
"OBAMA IS NOT NAVE" 
(Dong-a Ilbo, June 1, 2009, Page 31) 
 
U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates warned at the Asia Security 
Summit in Singapore on Saturday that the U.S. would respond quickly 
if actions by North Korea threaten America or its Asian allies.  He 
added, "President Obama has offered an open hand to tyrannies that 
unclench their fists.  He is hopeful, but he is not naove."  At his 
meetings with his ROK and Japanese counterparts Defense Ministers 
Lee Sang-hee and Yasukazu Hamada, Secretary Gates also stressed that 
there will be no rewards in order to dissuade Pyongyang from staging 
a provocation. 
 
Whether the ultimate purpose of North Korea's long-range rocket 
launches and additional nuclear test is to have dialogue with the 
U.S. or to possess nuclear weapons or both, it all boils down to a 
provocation aimed at testing the U.S. new administration.  However, 
many signs indicate that the U.S.'s warning that the international 
community has run out of patience (with North Korea's provocation) 
will not end up being a simple bluff. 
 
On April 5, when the North fired a missile, President Barack Obama 
proclaimed a vision of a "world free of nuclear weapons."  Asked 
whether the U.S. would be prepared to fight if war broke out between 
the ROK and North Korea, U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey 
replied, "The short answer is yes."  The situation is serious to the 
extent that even the word "war" came up. 
 
The ROK and the U.S. are discussing putting the U.S. pledge of a 
nuclear umbrella over the ROK in a joint statement or communiqu at 
the mid-June summit.  The Defense Ministers of both nations usually 
put the U.S. pledge of a nuclear umbrella in the statement of an 
annual Security Consultative Meeting, but the two nations now intend 
to elevate the U.S. pledge to the summit level.  Putting the U.S 
nuclear umbrella in writing is essential to prevent additional 
reckless behavior from the North's. 
 
It seems that North Korea will not stop at a nuclear test and 
appears to be preparing to fire an intercontinental ballistic 
missile (ICBM).  Since the North itself warned of a test-firing of 
an ICBM, it is very likely that it will happen.  Following North 
Korea's additional nuclear test, China canceled a planned visit to 
Pyongyang by the deputy head of the National People's Congress of 
the People's Republic of China.  Considering that this year marks 
the 60th anniversary of North Korea-China diplomatic ties, it was a 
very unusual expression of displeasure.  The U.S. should work 
together with China and Russia to prevent North Korea's additional 
provocation. 
 
 
 
FEATURES 
-------- 
 
MORE THAN HALF OF KOREANS BELIEVE PRESIDENT LEE MUST APOLOGIZE FOR 
ROH'S DEATH 
(Hankyoreh Shinmun, June 1, 2009, Front page) 
 
By Reporters Leeyu Juhyun and Lee Hwa-ju 
 
A survey shows support for the resignation of the Justice Ministry 
and Prosecutor General, and a Democratic Party lead over the Grand 
National Party 
 
SEOUL 00000865  006 OF 007 
 
 
 
In a telephone poll conducted by Hankyoreh and Research Plus, an 
opinion poll and marketing research company, on Saturday, more than 
half of Koreans believe that President Lee Myung-bak must apologize 
for the death of late former President Roh Moo-hyun.  On this item, 
56 percent of respondents believe Lee should apologize, while 37.5 
percent said they did not agree with an apology.  Another 51.6 
percent also believe members of the Justice Ministry and the 
Prosecutor General should resign over this incident. 
 
An estimated two in three respondents, or 59.3 percent, agreed that 
Roh's death was a result of the current president's acts of 
political retaliation, while 34.7 percent disagreed.  On the 
question (as to) who shouldered the greatest responsibility, nearly 
half or 47.4 percent indicated 'prosecutors and ruling forces', 
while 27.9 percent said 'President Roh himself', and 15.5 percent 
said 'the media.' Of the 47.4 percent (who indicated 'prosecutors 
and ruling forces', 22.7 percent selected prosecutors as the main 
parties responsible, 14.2 percent selected President Lee, and 10.5 
percent selected the ruling Grand National Party (GNP). 
 
On the question regarding political parties, 21.7 percent showed 
support for the Democratic Party, (which was) an 8.4 percent lead 
over the 18.7 percent who showed support for the GNP.  Even if one 
takes into account the fact that the poll was taken the day after 
Roh's funeral, it is noteworthy in possible forecasts for the future 
as it represents the first time in four years that the approval 
ratings of the two parties have switched. 
 
On the question regarding the current president's handling of 
national affairs, 57.7 percent said President Lee was doing a poor 
job, while 30.6 percent said he was doing well.  This is a 6.4 
percentage point drop from the 37 percent support recorded in the 
last Hankyroreh poll conducted in April 28. 
 
This nationwide poll was conducted via telephone with 1,000 men and 
women over the age of 19.  The poll has a confidence level of 95 
percent, a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent, and a 
response rate of 17.2 percent. 
 
(This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version.) 
 
 
OPINION POLL: SUPPORTERS OF DP OUTNUMBER THOSE OF GNP 
(PRESSian, May 31, 2009) 
 
By Reporter Lim Gyeong-gu 
 
WinG Korea Consulting conducted an opinion survey of 1,000 adults 
via telephone interviews on March 30 after the public funeral of 
former President Roh.  The poll's margin of error is plus or minus 
3.1 percentage points with a 95 percent confidence level in the 
results.   According to a regular opinion poll released by WinG 
Korea on May 31, following former President Roh's death, supporters 
of Democratic Party (DP) outnumber those of Grand National Party 
(GNP).  27.3 % supported the opposition DP and 20.8% supported the 
ruling GNP. 
 
In particular, in the metropolitan area and Chungcheong Province, 
more respondents showed their support for the DP than for the GNP. 
Also, among those below the age of 40, the DP had a higher rate of 
support than the GNP. 
 
Will former President Roh's death affect next year's local 
election? 
 
78.1% said yes. 
14.9% said no. 
 
How is President Lee handling state affairs? 
 
34.1% said he is doing well. 
63.1% said he is doing a poor job. 
 
SEOUL 00000865  007 OF 007 
 
 
Don't know/No response was 2.8%, a drop from the previous 10%. 
 
According to an analysis by Lee Gun-hyung, the director at WinG 
Korea, the percentage of 'Don't know/No' responses declined because 
conservatives were proactive in voicing their opinions out of a 
sense of crisis arising from the heated national mourning for former 
President Roh. 
 
Has democracy suffered a setback? 
 
64% said yes. 
 
Were there a lot of problems with the Prosecution's investigation 
into the allegations against former President Roh? 
 
73% said yes. 
 
Were there a lot of problems with the media's way of handling the 
case or its coverage? 
 
80% said yes. 
 
Is the incumbent government responsible for former President Roh's 
death? 
 
66.8% said yes. 
31.6% said no. 
 
Who is most responsible for former President Roh's death? 
Incumbent government (34.8%) 
Former President Roh or his family (27.7%) 
 
Media (14.9%) 
Prosecution (14.4%) 
 
Should President Lee officially apologize for former President Roh's 
death? 
 
52.6% said yes. 
44.1% said no. 
 
Has democracy suffered a considerable setback since the inauguration 
of the Lee Myung-bak Government? 
 
63.7% said yes. 
34.8% said no. 
 
Why did North Korea recently conduct a nuclear test and launch 
short-range missiles? 
 
To enhance its negotiating power in talks with the U.S. (50.9%) 
North Korea's internal political reasons such as (unifying the 
citizens in support of the government) (23.7%) 
To pose a military threat to the ROK (15.5%) 
 
Should the Lee Myung-bak Government stick to its current North Korea 
policy? 
 
33.5% said yes. 
61.6% said no. 
 
How should the National Assembly handle the media bill at the June 
session? 
 
17.6% said the National Assembly should put it to a vote even if the 
opposition parties disagree. 
60.8% said the National Assembly should not put it to a vote if the 
opposition parties and the public disagree. 
 
 
 
STEPHENS