VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUL #0102 0210549
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 210549Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2980
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 8032
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 5289
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 9184
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5182
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS SEOUL 000102 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/PD FOR SWALKER, EAP/P, EAP/K 
STATE PASS USDA ELECTRONICALLY FOR FAX/ITP SCHEIKH 
STATE PASS USTR FOR RCASSIDY 
USDOC FOR 4430/IEP/OPB/EAP/JDONIUS 
TREASURY FOR OASIA/MGREWE 
CINCPAC FOR J-74 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR ECON KS US KPAO KMDR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION IN SEOUL 
 
Subject: Media Reaction; Seoul 
 
Presidential Inauguration/New Administration's Foreign Policy 
 
 
"A New Beginning for America" 
 
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (01/21): "President Obama's 
top priority, economic recovery, can gain momentum when it is 
pursued within the framework of international cooperation. 
Recently, important figures in the Obama Administration, including 
Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton, raised the need to 
renegotiate the KORUS FTA on the pretext of protecting the U.S. auto 
industry, sparking concerns that the new U.S. administration might 
be headed for 'protectionism.'  As seen in the Great Depression in 
1934, competitive protectionism among countries only aggravates an 
economic crisis.  The U.S. should show leadership in creating a more 
open global trade system.  The same goes for the North Korean 
nuclear issue.  North Korea has already made various gestures to 
bring itself to the world's attention in time for the inauguration 
of the new U.S. president.  Seoul and Washington must waste no time 
in beginning talks over the nuclear issue and a new vision for the 
ROK-U.S. alliance." 
 
 
"Good Luck, President Obama" 
 
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (01/21): "For Koreans, 
the North Korea nuclear issue and the pending KORUS FTA are of the 
utmost interest.  The U.S. should try to balance resolving the 
North's nuclear issue through close cooperation with the ROK while 
at the same time adopting a tough diplomatic stance.  The Obama 
Administration needs to decide whether delaying ratification of the 
bilateral trade deal and pursuing protectionism will serve U.S. 
national interests and the spirit of the ROK-U.S. alliance." 
 
 
"High Expectations for Obama's Era" 
 
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized (01/21): "The reason why 
countries around the world welcome Obama's inauguration is that they 
sincerely hope that he will overcome the economic crisis and lead 
the world toward peace and stability by realizing his slogan of 
'bold hope' and 'change.'" 
 
 
"A New America, A New World" 
 
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (01/21): "As noted by 
Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton, the North Korean 
nuclear issue is an "urgent" one.  Officials from the Obama camp are 
said to share a favorable view of resolving pending North Korean 
issues comprehensively, which range from dismantling North Korea's 
nuclear programs, normalizing U.S.-North Korean relations and 
(providing) economic and energy aid to the North, to establishing a 
peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.  That being the case, the 
shortcut to progress would be to exchange mutually trustworthy 
special envoys to confirm each side's intentions and then 
immediately to enter into negotiations with the North.  If there is 
prompt progress on the nuclear issue, it would be easy for Obama to 
concentrate on other international issues, including the Middle East 
conflict.  The start of the Obama Administration carries significant 
meaning in that it has opened a new era of progressivism in modern 
world politics." 
 
 
Stephens